Ramsey Burks (01-04-12)

HOSCHTON - Ramsey McDonald Burks, 78, died Tuesday January 4, 2012.

Born in Dyersburg, Tenn., he was the youngest of seven children, the son of the late Harry Black and Novella Ramsey Burks. He grew up in Columbia, Tenn., played drums and graduated from Central High School. He held degrees from Vanderbilt University (BA 56), and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers where he finished first in his class. After two years of service in the United States Army in Germany, he brought his young family to Atlanta. He joined Trust Company Bank of Georgia in 1958 and held various positions of management there until his retirement from SunTrust in December 1993. He married his beloved wife Karen in 1982. His personal interests included finance and investing and he put these to use in retirement by volunteering at the WSB Radio Consumer Action Center. He also enjoyed tennis and volunteered at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Tennis venue. He had his pilot's license and was a fan of WW II aviation. He was a responsible and caring man who loved his family and while his lifelong presence will be missed, the foundations he built will continue to endure.

In addition to his wife Karen (Hinck) Burks, survivors include three sons, Wendell (Sara) Burks, Alpharetta, Stephen (Cristina) Burks, Huntsville, Ala., and Harry (Shannon) Burks, Los Altos, Calif.; stepchildren, Kim (Mark) Alexander, Duluth, and Steve Wagner, Duluth; five grandchildren, Andrew (Lynne) Burks, Palo Alto, Calif., Harrison Burks, Alpharetta, Conner Burks, Alpharetta, Lauren Burks, New York, N.Y., Erin Burks, Los Altos, Calif.; three step-grandchildren, Hayley Alexander and Lauren Alexander, Duluth, and Evan Wagner, Suwanee; two brothers, Bill Burks, Rochester, N.Y. and Paul (Marcie) Burks, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Mr. Burks was preceded in death by brothers, Harry Burks, Jr. and Edward Burks; and sisters, Rosalie Burks Wright and June Burks Jackson Geny.

No services will be held immediately. A private celebration of his life will be held near Columbia, Tenn. in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Association in memory of Ramsey M. Burks.

Wards Funeral Home, Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.