James Alexander Burks, 84 of Bedford, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 at Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital. He was born on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1932 in Bedford County, a son of the late Norwood Marshall Burks and Claradeen Hodges Burks. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1959 where he played football and was a captain his senior year. He owned and operated Burks Brothers Dairy Farm, was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and a U. S. Army Veteran. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Sue Burks; his daughters, Dee-Dee B. Witt & husband, Jeff of Bedford, Anne B. Hudson of Bedford, Jamie B. Firebaugh and husband, Kevin of Winchester, Laura B. Crouch and husband, Marvin of Bedford; his grandchildren, Courtney Key, Katie Hudson, Cameron Firebaugh, Makala Firebaugh, Sara Smith, Stephen Crouch, J. J. Witt, Meredith Witt; a great-grandson, Austin Key and his sister, Mabel B. Zimmerman and husband, Jimmy of Bedford. The family would like to give special thanks to Bea Payne for the wonderful care given to James while he was sick. Funeral services were held at the graveside at 11 AM on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Cemetery with Rev. Mark Wilkerson an Rev. Mike Jones officiating. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.