Eugene Dale Burris, our precious Father, Husband, and Grandpa, joined his Lord and Savior in Heaven on Nov. 4, 2010. This strong, hard-working man was born to George and Mattie Burris in Tuttle, OK on June 19, 1926. Gene spent his youth working on the family farm and at other jobs helping his family during the great Depression. Like many other brave Americans, Gene left the farm to enlist during WWII, training to become a tail-gunner with the Army Air Corps. Upon his return, he married his high school love, Gloria Jean Dixon. A proud WWII Vet, upon discharge from the service, Gene continued to serve his country working as a Supervisor at the United States Postal Service. Gene was an amazing Man's Man who, with his wife, Gloria, spent many of his happiest days building two houses in OKC while raising two loving children, Dale and Kathy. They also "worked as a vacation" on improving a beautiful, mountainous section of land in southeastern OK. After his retirement and the loss of his wife of 35 years, he had many special times traveling the US with his beloved dog, Tasha, working in his garden, and tinkering in the garage...that man could fix and build anything! In 1990 Gene reunited with and married an El Reno sweetheart, Ferne Roblyer, whom he had known since school days. During these years, he was known as a very accomplished bee-keeper, raising bees that produced the best tasting honey ever. Gene and Ferne had many loving memories in their spacious El Reno home with Tasha II dog, his grandchildren, their spouses and children. He continued to enjoy gardening, with a vast vegetable garden, beautiful flower garden, which he insisted on maintaining himself. Gene had a wonderful imagination, was an avid reader, an entertaining storyteller, and loved old WWII and Western movies. He was an interesting, polite, handsome man. Gene was graced with a warm smile, twinkling blue eyes, and was dearly loved and well respected by family and friends. OUR LOSS IS CERTAINLY HEAVEN'S GAIN! Gene is preceded in death by his parents; brother and sisters; his wife, Gloria; and their son, Dale. Gene is survived by his second wife of 20 years, Ferne; her son, Craig; daughter, Jade; and her granddaughter, Jill; his daughter, Kathy, her husband Robert, their sons Michael and Matthew; daughter-in-law, Janice, along with her and Dale's four children, Vanessa Cubbler, her husband Ralph, Heather Coleman, her husband Michael, Titian Burris, his wife Stacey and Natasha Burris; along with his 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great- grandchildren. Gene was such an animal lover - Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to Pets and People of Yukon or Free To Live of Edmond. Viewing at Wilson's Funeral Home, 100 S. Barker, El Reno, OK, before services on Monday, November 8, 2010, from 8AM-10AM. Memorial Services will be held at First Christian Church, 400 S. Barker, El Reno, OK, on Monday, November 8, 2010, at 1:00 PM.

Published in The Oklahoman from November 7 to November 8, 2010