Spotlight Memories: My grandfather, George Washington "Wash" Burris, Jr.

My Grandfather, George W. Burris, Jr., has been gone now for 43 years, but he remains a very important man in my family.  He raised my mom (Jean Burris Lensing) to be the beautiful woman she was.  He was quick with a joke and honest and generous to a fault.  He made his living in the "family business", the U.S. Postal Service, as Assistant Postmaster in Clark County, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The only reason he was not appointed Postmaster was because he was a Republican and he refused to change his party affiliation, which is what he would have had to do in those days to get the top job. He held a license to practice law and a state teaching certificate.  He also worked on South American oil rigs for a time in his youth.  But most important to him was his family -- his wife and 4 children. He was my mom's hero, she loved him, respected and admired him and looked to his example all of her life.  To me, he was a loving grandfather who made me laugh and taught me how to play Chinese checkers.  So I honor my grandfather today, as I do everyday.  The picture below is Granddaddy Wash sitting on the ledge of his front porch outside his home at 808 Crittenden in Arkadelphia, AR, in 1954. He was probably wearing the suit he went to work in that day at the post office.  He was 64 years young.

All my love forever granddaddy! 

❤