R. Franklin Burris

R. Franklin Burris of Chestertown, formally of Queenstown, died on March 18, 2006, in his home. He was 79. Franklin was born on November 14, 1926 in Chestertown, son of the late Arthur H. and Helen (Shinn) Burris. He was educated in public schools in Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties, graduating from Sudlersville High School in 1943. During World War II, he farmed and served in the Maryland State Guard advancing to the rank of sergeant. He continued his education over the years studying at the Graham Breeding School for Livestock and at Chesapeake College. Franklin managed King Marriott Farm in Kent County for three years. Then he moved to Historic “Cheston-on-Wye”, near Queenstown, an 800 acre farm as farm manager from 1949 to 1964 when the farm was sold to Wye Institute. During those 15 years, the farm’s herd of Holstein cattle was build up from 70 to 225, the largest dairy herd on the ‘Shore’ and the farm installed one of the first modern milking parlors, pipe lines, and bulk tank free stall support equipment on the Shore. From 1964, he was resident superintendent of Wye Institute in charge of buildings and ground use until 1973. In 1971, was appointed to serve on the Maryland State Fair Board, by Governor Marvin Mandel and served three years. In 1973, he was selected to be Executive Secretary for the Maryland Agricultural Commission of the State Department of Agriculture in Annapolis and served in that capacity until 1975, at which time was appointed to the position of Administrator of General Services for the Department of Agriculture and held that position until his retirement in 1991. He was a member of Maryland Holstein Assoc. and still holds a life membership in the National Holstein Association, served as director of the Maryland Artificial Breeders Co-op. Franklin was also a 4-H member, leader, then as an adult served for many years as President of the 4-H Park Board of Queen Anne’s County. He served as the first Chairman of the Queen Anne’s County Fair for four years, then three years as Co-Chairman. He was a Farm Bureau member for 25 years, was director and attended the National Conventions and regional seminars. He’s been a Lions Club member since 1964, having served as Club President for the Queenstown Club, Zone Chairman, Deputy District Governor, and in 1970 was elected to the office of District Governor, which includes all nine counties of the Eastern Shore, with 44 clubs. Mr. Burris served on the Council of Governors of Multiple District 22, which includes the Council of Governors of Multiple District 22, which includes Maryland, Delaware and D.C., as Secretary-Treasurer. Then as Treasurer, Vice-chairman and Chairman of the Multiple District Convention which was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He holds a Key Membership Award, and the 100 percent District Governors Award, presented by Lions International, life member of Melvin Jones Fellowship and an Arnold Paz Fellow. He was a member of Wye of Carmichael United Methodist Church for 54 years, serving on most of the church committees, was a Sunday school teacher and Sunday school superintendent and lent his beautiful tenor voice to the choir. After moving to Chestertown, he continued his choir experience at First United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Gideon’s and Fellowship of Christian Farmers Association and volunteered at Chester River Hospital and with the Farm Museum Project. He was also an avid gardener growing zinnias to the height of six foot. Franklin was also a hunter. While living on the Wye River, he enjoyed boating and fishing with his favorite Labrador “Jet” and Golden Retriever “Hannah”. He and his wife, Edna also loved ballroom dancing. Franklin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edna (Coleman) Burris of Chestertown; two sons, Robert Franklin Burris Jr. of Columbus, Ohio and Arthur H. Burris of Catonsville; daughter, Carol Spath of Carney; brother, William R. Burris of Elliott City; four sisters, Betty Burris of Chestertown, Mary Lou Jones and Lee Gears of Kingstown, and Sara Ostroske of Baltimore; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren and a special nice, Linda Burris McCombie of Jefferson. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 23, 2006 at First United Methodist Church, Chestertown, Maryland. Family and friends may call between 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, Maryland. Entombment will be in Church Hill Cemetery, Church Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Wye of Carmichael United Methodist Church P.O. Box 7 Queenstown, MD 21658 or Chester River Home Care & Hospice 6602 Church Hill Road, Suite 300 Chestertown, MD 21620.