James Ray Burris was born November 12, 1941 in Muskogee the son of Horace and Anita Burris. He died November 11, 2018 in Tulsa.

Before attending college he was a heavy equipment operator and ran a produce business. James attended NSU in Tahlequah before transferring to Harvard University where earned a degree in education. He was married to Jackie Lovett in Tahlequah in 1963. He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for many years. At the time of his retirement he working in Tribal Administration for the Cherokee Nation and enjoyed driving a truck across the country.

James loved to fish, loved animals, especially his two dogs Coco and Sam. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also bought and sold horses, collected coins and stamps and enjoyed a good political discussion.

Surviving are his wife, Jackie of the home; a son, James Clint Burris; a daughter, Marla Sue “Susie” Baker; four grandchildren, Lucas Agregado, Chris Baker, Brandon Baker and Jessica Baker; five great grandchildren, Ella, Olivia, Ryan, Liam, Viktor and Molly; three sisters, Billie Thompson, Judy Ballard and Betty “Honey” Igert; two brothers, Emmett Burris and David Burris; and many other nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Tony Burris and one sister Pat Lively.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday November 16, 2018 at the Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Gibson. Interment will follow on the Citizens Cemetery in Fort Gibson.