Jim C. Burdick
- This eternal flame burns forever -
- in remembrance of Jim C. Burdick -
Jim C. Burdick of Fort Smith went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center.
Jim was born in McAlester, OK on May 31, 1943. He was adopted by Jessie J. and Lucy C. Burdick on his 2nd birthday and
lived in McAlester until age 5. They moved to Spiro, OK where Jim attended 12 years of school. He was the Drum Major for
the Spiro Marching Band for his last two years of high school.
He joined the U. S. Marine Corps in 1963 and was assigned to the Third Air Wing, Third Marine Division, El Toro, California.
He served as a jet mechanic. He spent his Vietnam assignment as a crew chief for transport planes flying in and out of Da Nang.
He met his wife of 44 years while stationed at El Toro. He married Barbara L. Nichols August 26, 1965 in Huntington Beach, California.
Jim was discharged in 1967 and moved to Tulsa, OK where he was employed by Douglas Aircraft. Jim moved his family to Spiro, OK
in 1969 and went to work for Whirlpool Corporation for six years when he left and went into the construction field and began building
custom homes. In 1975, Jim joined the Oklahoma National Guard and after three years transferred to the U. S. Army Reserves
where he finished his military career serving in the 95th Division (IT), where he served as the Division Command Sergeant Major under
General Bill Jester. Jim had a combined military service of 30 years and 8 months. Jim went to work for St. Edward Mercy Medical
Center in 1979 and retired from there in 2005. Jim served as the RV Park Host at Fort Chaffee RV Park for two years until he was
diagnosed with ALS and left in March of 2009. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Pocola, OK, member and Past President
of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #467 and member of Belle Point Chapter of the Good Sams Club. He was preceded in death
by a Biological sister Donna Wood and Biological brother Jack Wood.
Funeral service was held Monday, December 14, 2009, at Trinity Baptist Church, 904 East Pryor, Pocola, OK
with Rev. Paul Walker and Rev. Richard Maness officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will be at
U. S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife Barbara L. Burdick, two daughters Elizabeth A. Oden and husband Randy of Van Buren, AR and
Tami K. Kuhns and husband Jeff of Van Buren, AR, one son John Taylor and wife Kellie of Cabot, AR, Biological Sister Lisa Hartman
of Colorado, Biological Brothers Melvin Wood of California, Randy Wood of Arizona and Ronnie Wood of Colorado,
five granddaughters and one great granddaughter.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Hobby, Jim Nichols, Jim Locovare, Larry Robison, Michael Thrift and Wilburn Howard.
Honorary pallbearers will be Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #467
and members of Belle Point Chapter of the Good Sams Club.
The family visited with friends Sunday afternoon at Edwards Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 6101 Hwy 271 South, Fort Smith, AR 72908.
To place an online tribute visit Tribute Jim C Burdick
Jim C Burdick of McAlester, OK went to meet our Lord
December 9, 2009
Age:66
Though He's gone, He is not forgotten.
Though absent, He remains in spirit.
Though once a worker, He now rest.
by The Arkansas Goodsams
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