Remembering longtime dirt late model racer Danny Burks
Remembering longtime dirt late model racer Danny Burks
~ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith — II Timothy 4:7 ~
On January 27, 2015, Danny Carl Burks, age 68, passed away after battling pancreatic cancer while surrounded by family at his home in Abingdon, Va. Danny was a man of great faith who served the Lord over the years at Mount Calvary Church. He leaves behind to cherish his memories a loving family and many friends.
Danny was predeceased by his parents, Spencer and Leenelle Coleman Burks. He is survived by his wife Barbara L. Burks; two sons, Edward (Tenna) Burks of Morganton, N.C., and Joseph (Patty) Burks of Abingdon; four brothers, Nick Burks and Scotty (Tracy) Burks, both of Abingdon; David (Stephany) Burks of Bristol, Va.; and Doug (Dawnita) Burks of Belfast, Va.; sister Donna (Joe) Keene of Chilhowie, Va.; grandson Colby Spencer Burks; and several nieces and nephews.
Danny was oldest member of the racing Burks brothers (Dave, Scotty, Doug, Nick, and the late Rick and Dennis “Big Wheel”), who called Richlands, Va., home for many years. Danny had resided in Abingdon since 1989.
In 1974 he wrote his name in the record books as winner of the first-ever race at Volunteer Speedway, driving a 1973 Chevy Laguna to the Late Model checkered flag. During his stellar racing career Danny was one of the best to ever strap in behind the wheel of a dirt late model in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, as he captured well over 100 feature wins in Tennessee at “The Gap” and Newport Raceway, and in Virginia at Wythe Raceway and Cedar Hills Speedway.
He loved chauffeuring his Barry Wright Race Cars No. 73 dirt late model and “Doing It The Wright Way!”
Danny also visited victory lane by winning the first-ever race held at Perry County Speedway in Hazard, Ky., and he won races in West Virginia at Beckley Speedway and Princeton Speedway, plus he raced in North Carolina and South Carolina. He also competed in National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) events around the Southeast, and even in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series on asphalt at both Kingsport Speedway and at Lonesome Pine Raceway.
Danny’s brother, Dave, captured the Late Model championship in 1994 at Volunteer Speedway.
Volunteer Speedway owners Joe and Phyllis Loven, along with all track personnel, fans, drivers and race teams, would like to offer sincere condolences to the Burks family on the loss of a beloved family member. May the good Lord comfort you in your time of sorrow.
The family of Mr. Danny Carl Burks will receive friends at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon on Thursday, January 29, 2015, from 6 – 9 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Mount Calvary Church with Pastors Kirby Miller, Eugene Miller and Paul Ketron officiating.
Entombment will follow at the Serenity Gardens Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon where Joe Burks, Lee Houchins, Kevin McGuire, Jeremy Ferguson, Dickie Chaney, Todd Estep, Todd Matney and Roger Null will serve as casket bearers. The Men of Mount Calvary Church will serve as honorary casket bearers.
The family of Danny Carl Burks is in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, Va. 24210, (276) 623-2700.
