John Bryan Burks (51) of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on August 28, 2023, surrounded by the people he loved most his family.  Cancer may have taken his body, but it never altered his spirit for life and the love of his family and friends.

Bryan was born in Little Rock, Arkansas to Gerald and Jill Burks.  He attended Sheridan High School and graduated in 1989, where he very quickly joined the United States Navy and served in Operation Desert Shield and the Gulf War through 1993.

On January 10, 1998, Bryan married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ford Burks, and together they raised four beautiful children, John Tanner Burks (Heather) of White Hall, Arkansas; Bryanna Burks Williams (Austin) of Sheridan, Arkansas; Brittany Burks (Jacob Efird) of Sheridan, Arkansas, and Jake Evan Burks of Bryant, Arkansas.  Bryan graduated from University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2009 and worked in the following industries; postal service, pipe fitting, construction manager, project manager and as a Director of Project Management, where he was able to travel the world; visiting places like Turkey, China, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Poland, and many places across the United States.

Bryan enjoyed loving Lizzy and his children. He spent his days coaching Jake, hunting, fishing, being with his kids and nieces and nephews, and in his latter years with his precious grandchildren: Lucy, Lennon, Trip and Baker.

Bryan is survived by his wife, Lizzy; his children and grandchildren; mother, Jill Burks; sister, Allison (BJ) Sledge; father-in-law, Henry Ford and a host of nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished daily.

Bryan is preceded in death by his father, Gerald Burks; brother, Paul Burks; grandfather, Donald Chaney; grandmother, Sue Chaney; and mother-in-law, Janice Ford.

A Celebration of life will be held at the Poyen Assembly of God Church (104 Ash Street, Poyen, Arkansas, 72128) on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 2:00p.m., inside a landmark built by Bryan's own hands. Graveside service will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Sheridan, Arkansas.  Pallbearers include: Jake Burks, Tanner Burks, Austin Williams, Lane Fenter, Tristen Fenter, Ethan Fenter. Honorary Pallbearers include: Zachary Hy-Gail and Hunter Sledge.  David Lengefeld will officiate.

There will be no formal visitation.