GUTHRIE--Retired Logan County Sheriff J. C. Burris Sr., the first Black elected county sheriff in Oklahoma, died Feb. 25.He was 81.
He was born on Oct. 28, 1928, in Tom, Okla., to Prince Henry and Lena Simpson Burris.
In 1945, he served in the U.S. Army.
He lived in Oklahoma City for a time, working at Tinker U.S. Air Force Base and the Guthrie Job Corps Center.
While he lived in Oklahoma City, Mr. Burris served as a deacon and as treasurer of the Church of the Living God of the Garden Days Addition.
Mr. Burris moved to Logan County in 1963, and became involved in community affairs as a farmer and rancher in the Langston and Coyle areas, participating in civic organizations and serving on boards of directors.
He was a member of the board of Outback Resources, and served as chairman of the Logan County Election Board and the Langston Federal Credit Union.
Mr. Burris was also a member of the Oklahoma Sheriff’s & Peace Officers Association and the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association.
In 1973, he was hired as the first Black deputy sheriff of Logan County, and was later named county under-sheriff.
When the incumbent sheriff resigned, Mr. Burris was appointed by county commissioners to complete the term, and, in 1980, he was elected sheriff.
He retired in 1992.
The retired sheriff is survived by his wife of 57 years, Faye Goodman Burris.
He is also survived by four sons: Donald Burris (Texarkana, Texas), Darryle Burris and Reginald Burris (both of Oklahoma City), and Rodney Burris (Guthrie).
The retired Logan County sheriff is survived, too, by a sister, Earnestine Burris (Oklahoma City); and a brother, A.J. Burris (Oklahoma City).
In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held earlier today at the First Christian Church.
Arrangements were handled by the Smith-Gallo Funeral Home.
