Richard Carel Burris

SFC Richard C. Burris, age 83, passed away March 26, 2021. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church. Richard was born in Shelburn, Indiana on August 21, 1937. He loved his family, especially the grandchildren and enjoyed playing golf with his friends from the railroad. He spent 22 years in the US Army as a green beret, and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, along with many other military achievements and medals. After retiring from the army, he went to work at Norfolk Southern Railroad as an operator, retiring after 15 years. He was preceded in the death by his mother Forrest Burris of Terre Haute Indiana and Harry Burris of Terre Haute. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Carolyn Crawley Burris; sons Rick and Darrell of Knoxville, Gary and wife Michele of Fairbanks Indiana, daughter Linda and husband Troy also of Fairbanks; grandchildren Cameron, Dylan, Lyla and Zachary Burris of Knoxville, Dalton, Justin, Jonathan, Cody, Ashton, Jimmy, Brock and Leah of Indiana, and many beautiful great grandchildren; Loving sister Carolyn Pierce of Shelburn Indiana; special neighbors Wilda Smith, Wayne and Linda Mayes, and Mark and Connie Stansberry. Family will receive friends 2:00 – 4:00pm Sunday April 11, 2021, at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel with service to follow at 4:00pm, Rev. John Holland and Rev. Toby Everett officiating. Family and friends will meet 1:45pm Monday April 12, 2021, at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway for a 2:00pm committal service with military honors provided by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mynattfh.com.