Anthony Lawrence Burks
( March 19, 1945 – September 27, 2022 )
Anthony (Tony) Lawrence Burks was born, on March 19th, 1945, in Tucumcari, NM to Dr. Leonard (Tom) Burks and Daisy Lobb. Tony passed away in Raton, NM on September 27, 2022. The oldest of three, Tony had two sisters, Janell and Coy Burks. Their family lived in Nara Visa, NM.
Tony attended elementary school in Nara Visa, NM and graduated high school from, Amistad, NM, in 1963, though he did not receive his diploma because he hit the principal’s wife with a snowball, and the principal held his diploma for 20 years. Tony claimed he did not intend to hit the woman with the snowball.
Tony grew up on a ranch and learned to be a cowboy but was hired on as a roughneck for Lloyd Gerard a water well driller in his late teens. He then went to work for the Vise Brothers in the oil field. He often told the story of his crew writing the song “out of the hole Burks did cry, popped his clutch and the motor died”. Through the years he held many positions including the truck driver, pumper, operator, foreman, tool pusher, and owner.
In his late teens, Tony married Frieda Torres and had four children: Toby, Tonya, Tommy, and Lori. In his mid-30 he married Vallie Cunico Hronich who had Christy, Toni, and John Hronich, and later in life gained a bonus daughter Stephany Rickerman.
Tony was preceded in death by both parents and Sister Janelle.
Tony is survived by his wife Vallie, Sister Coy, and children Toby, Tonya, Tommy, Christy, Lori, Toni, Stephany, and John.
Tony is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Tony was a charismatic man who was loved by many and known for his big heart. He always had a story and seemed to be the center of attention. Though his stories were hard to ignore with all his big hand movements and animated facial expressions. Many would agree he would have been quiet if somebody were to tie his hands.
He believed in God and his last wishes were to go home to be with Jesus.
Memorial services are to be held on October 10th at 2 PM at the Lighthouse Church. Celebration of life to be held immediately after at TBD.
Arrangements for Tony Burks are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
I was a friend of Toby in the early 80’s.
Would like to get his contact info.