MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Kirby, Blount, Jackson (15th), Michel, Seymour

Senate Concurrent Resolution 566

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR, MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE, CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER, BAPTIST MINISTER AND LIEUTENANT GENERAL WAYNE O. BURKES UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, MISSISSIPPI AIR NATIONAL GUARD RETIRED, AND COMMENDING HIS LIFE OF OUTSTANDING PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, we join the members of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the citizens of the State of Mississippi in paying tribute to the memory and public, military and charitable service of Lieutenant General Wayne O. Burkes United States Air Force, Mississippi Air National Guard Retired, who passed away on May 5, 2020; and

     WHEREAS, Wayne, as his friends called him, was born December 6, 1929, in Neshoba County, Mississippi, and raised on the family farm.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewitt T. Burkes and Cleo Gentry Burkes, former wife Ruthine Ferguson Burkes, and his brothers, Winford, Willard, Wausie, Billy Joe and Tommy; and

     WHEREAS, Wayne graduated from Arlington High School, East Central Mississippi Community College and continued to Mississippi College where he earned his B.A., M.ED and LL.D degrees.  He received his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He also completed graduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi.  Wayne was an active alumnus of Mississippi College for many years, being awarded the Order of the Golden Arrow and the Mississippi College National "M" Club Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to his alma mater; and

     WHEREAS, after receiving his Master of Divinity and being ordained as a Baptist minister, Wayne served several churches in mid-Mississippi, ending with 24 years as a bi-vocational Pastor of the Bolton Baptist Church.  In retirement, he continued to serve those churches, officiating at weddings and funerals and counseling his many friends and serving as a visiting minister.  He served as a Trustee of Baptist Hospital Systems, was a member of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board and served as a local deacon, being active in the First Baptist Churches of Clinton and Jackson; and

     WHEREAS, he began a long military career with service in the Mississippi Air National Guard.  He served two tours of active service in the United States Air Force during his long distinguished career.  Wayne was a graduate of the Air Force Pilot Training School, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the Air War College.  While serving with the Air Guard, he attained over 7,000 hours of flight time in eight different aircraft, serving as a Command Pilot and achieving the rank of Major General and retiring as a Lieutenant General with 38 years total service.  Wayne worked tirelessly as an advocate for Mississippi veterans, serving on the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board as Chairman and on various committees.  He was a life member of both Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion and also Military Order of the World Wars.  As a member of the Mississippi Veterans Board, he was instrumental in the construction of the Mississippi Veterans Cemetery in Newton, Mississippi.  As Wayne's health declined he chose the Veterans Home in Kosciusko for continued care.  In honor of his long service, the chapel at the Veterans Home has been dedicated in his honor as the Wayne O. Burkes Veterans Chapel; and

     WHEREAS, Wayne Burkes began his long career in public service as a Teacher, Counselor and Administrator at Hinds Community College.  He held memberships in Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi professional educator's societies.  In 1976, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives, serving for four years.  In 1980, he was elected to the Mississippi Senate, serving for 10 years.  In 1989, Wayne was elected Central Mississippi Highway Commissioner, serving until being appointed by President Clinton to serve an unexpired term on the United States Surface Transportation Board.  While in Washington, he attended and graduated from the Transportation Executive Institute at the University of Virginia.  Upon returning to Mississippi, he continued to serve and be an advocate for veterans.  In 2014, Governor Phil Bryant presented Wayne Burkes with the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for his long distinguished service to the people and veterans of the State of Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, Wayne Burkes was a busy man and his wish was to have been able to do more for others.  As a humble man not seeking accolades or awards, at his wish, only the highlights of his long service are listed here; and

     WHEREAS, Wayne is survived by his wife, Ann Rushing Burkes; his sons, Ted M. Burkes (Trish) and Tim R. Burkes (Jane); grandchildren:  Malorie Paxson (Justice), Jonathan Burkes, Luke Burkes (Katie), Ian Burkes and Audrey Burkes; great-grandsons, Lincoln Paxson and Colin Paxson; and his brother, Johnny D. Burkes (Carol); and

     WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi with enormous civic energy.  His legacy is a strong and free America, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful state thanks him and his family:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Legislature to the bereaved family of former Mississippi Senator, Mississippi Representative, Central Mississippi Highway Commissioner, Baptist Minister and Lieutenant General Wayne O. Burkes, United States Air Force, Mississippi Air National Guard Retired, and commending his life of outstanding public and charitable service to the State of Mississippi.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Wayne Burkes, forwarded to the Mississippi Air National Guard, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Baptist Convention, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.