Jack Burds

John Joseph "Jack" Burds, 73 a resident of the Fort Sumner valley died Friday, July 6, 2012 in Fort Sumner following an illness. Jack was born in Peosta, Iowa on a farm on June 18, 1939. He was the eldest son of John Joseph, Sr. and Mary Cecelia (Carroll) Burds. Siblings include Joan Marie and (Phil) Weber, Dubuque, Iowa, Mary Colleen Bertinetti, Omaha Nebraska, Gerald Francis Burds of Dubuque, Iowa and Wilfred James and (Kathy) Burds of Gahanna, Ohio. He attended St. Martins Grade School in Cascade, Iowa and graduated in1957. He joined the Army in 1958, and was stationed in El Paso Texas where he met Kathleen Sharon Haggerty; they married August 20, 1960. They had five children together two sons and three daughters. Jack is survived by his wife, Irene Torres Hernandez of Fort Sumner, NM, all of his siblings and his children. Two sons, John “Jack” Allen Burds and wife Nancy of Wilmette, IL, Joseph Richard Burds and wife Nadia of Tarawa, North Carolina, three daughters, Sharon “Sherrie” West and husband Bill of Fort Sumner, New Mexico, Mary Molly Kenyon and husband Clifford of Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and Jacqueline “Nina” Kenyon and husband Virgil of Sierra Vista, Arizona. In addition he raised as sons Jeff Freeman of California and Tom Freeman of Cloudcroft, NM, and is survived by 22 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Jack was in the Military for three years and was an aide to General S. M. Mellnik. He then went to work for Safeway Grocery Stores and worked within the grocery business for many years. He became very active in Unionizing the workers at several grocery and discount stores. In 1970, Jack decided to pursue a law degree at the University of Iowa thus the family moved to West Branch, Iowa for a total of nine years. However life happened and instead due to many conflicts and responsibilities; including raising five children he started a disposal business. The business was very successful covering most of Southeastern Iowa. Following the sale of the disposal business the family moved back to Cloudcroft, NM in 1980. While in Cloudcroft Jack was very active in the building Twin Forks arena and worked in construction. Eventually Jack returned to work for Safeway stores in Hobbs, Roswell, Ruidoso, and Tucumcari, NM. Following a massive heart attack Jack left the grocery business for good. He later pursued his teaching degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. Jack taught in the Clint District of El Paso until retirement. While in El Paso he was very active in the American Legion Post even serving as Commander for a short time. Once again, due to health concerns Jack moved to Fort Sumner, New Mexico to be near his daughters. Jack has been active in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, St. Anthony's Catholic Church and a proud member of the Democrat Party. He was always willing to discuss politics and was never afraid to offer his opinion. Visitation hours will be held from 1PM to 6PM Wednesday at the funeral home, and from 9AM to 10AM at the church on Thursday. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, NM. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Thursday, July 12, 2012 at St. Anthony Parish with Father Paul Nkumbi officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at 2:30 PM Friday, July 13, 2012 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Brian Burds, James Burds, Matt West, Jacob West, Zachary Kenyon, Reed Kenyon, Caleb West, Adam West, Jon Kenyon, Luke Kenyon, Jeffrey Burds, and Michael Burds. Honorary Pallbearers his granddaughters Brittney Burds, Keily Burds, Katie Burds, Maddy Burds, Kathleen Kenyon and Reagan Kenyon. The family requests contributions in Jack's memory to Childreach International. You can make your secure online donation at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/katieclimbskili4kids. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com