Derrel E. Burris

Derrel Eugene Burris, 77, Junction City, died on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at his residence in Junction City. A visitation will be on Monday, April 2, 2012 from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington St. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel with Pastor James Callaway officiating. Burial with full military honors will immediately follow at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Rd., Manhattan, KS. The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Geary Community Health Care Foundation, P.O. Box 3015, Junction City, KS 66441.

Derrel was born on January 5, 1935 to Marvin and Grace (Huston) Burris in Junction City, Kansas. He attended schools in Junction City and spent most of his childhood there.

On June 25, 1959, Derrel was married to Michiko Sato in Yokosuka, Japan during his military station there. She survives of the home.

In December of 1952, Derrel enlisted in the Marines and after successful completion of boot camp was assigned to Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, California for Combat Training. During his 20 years in the Marine Corps, he was stationed at several locations including Washington DC, Iran, Japan, Hawaii, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Georgia. He served in many various military roles including Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran and as the Chief of Personnel at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was awarded several commendations including the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V", Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation with two stars, the Good Conduct Medal with four stars, and the National Defense Service Medal with one star.

After almost twenty years of service, Derrel retired from the Marine Corps on June 30, 1972. After his retirement, he worked for the Civil Service at Fort Riley, KS for twenty years.

Derrel is survived his wife, Michiko of Junction City; one daughter, Jean Rafalko of Junction City; and one son, Victor Burris of Springfield, Oregon. He is also survived by two brothers, Dale Burris of Junction City, and Carl (Barbara) Burris of Clay Center; by two sisters, Susie Burris and Nancy (Ron) Metz, both of Michigan; and by his sister-in-law Mary Burris of Newton, KS. He also leaves behind four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Grace Burris, and by his brother, Earl Burris.