Ralph Burrus

Ralph Allen Burrus passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Ralph was born in Everett, Washington on April 2, 1945 to Orville P and Rosa N Burrus. He attended Granite Falls Grade School and Graduated from Pasco High School in 1965. Ralph enlisted in the US Army Reserves in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1970, where he spent the next five years fulfilling his military obligation. He went into carpentry and long shoring in Everett, WA. He moved to the Tri-Cities where he worked for Jackson's and Rogers of Walla Walla. In 1981 he began volunteering for the Franklin County Fire District #3. While volunteering he worked in park maintenance for Benton and Franklin Counties until 1987, and then became park caretaker at Chiawana Park. Ralph married the love of his life, Kimmie "Kim" L. Chambers on September 5, 1987, and they raised six of Ralph's nieces and nephews as their own. From the six children Ralph and Kim raised, they now have fifteen grandchildren and they became Papa and Nana. In 1994, Ralph became the Commissioner of the Franklin County Fire District #3 until 2002. In December of 2003, Ralph retired from the Park Service. Ralph is survived by his loving wife and best friend forever, Kim. Daughters Marlene Bolyard (Eric), Kari St. Hilaire (Jeremiah), Jessica Snyder, Vanessa Hensley, (husband) Ashley Price. Son, Gilbert Burrus, (Laura). His fifteen grandchildren are, Austin, Sarah, Tyler, Jesse, Nicole, Dishon, Hannah, Trinity, Trevon, Olivia, Whitney, Sydney, Daisy, Madison and Cassidy. Ralph is also survived by brothers and sisters, Rebecca Makus, Garold Burrus, Walter Burrus, Tom Burrus, John Burrus, Shirley O'Hair an Orville Burrus. He is preceded in death by his parents Orville P. and Rosa N. Burrus and sister Zelma Barcott. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 11 AM at Mueller's Funeral Home on 10th and Union in Kennewick. Interment will be held at Mueller's Desert Lawn Memorial Park. There will be a "Celebration of Life" at the Pasco Eagles at 2829 W. Sylvester, Pasco, following the services. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Ralph Burrus Memorial fund to be shared with the Franklin County FireDistrict #3. Please send your donation in care of Pat Woodrome, at 1631 S. Huntington St., Kennewick, WA 99337