Jan. 23, 2004--John E. "Jack" Burris, 83, of Milford, died on Thursday, Jan. 22.

Mr. Burris served on the University’s Board of Trustees from 1975 until 1997, and upon his retirement from the board was named a trustee emeritus. At that time, he was saluted as "an accomplished businessman, true gentleman and a staunch advocate of UD."

During his tenure on the Board of Trustees he was secretary-treasurer from 1988-97 and served on the Executive; Nominating; Education and Training; Grounds and Buildings; Science, Agriculture and Engineering committees; and chaired the Committee on Agriculture. He also chaired the Trustee Committee to Nominate a President, which brought David P. Roselle to the University.

In 1992, Mr. Burris received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from UD, in acknowledgment of his devotion of time, energy, wisdom and talent.

Born Aug. 5, 1920 in Lincoln City, he was graduated from the Peddie School in 1938 and from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942-46, retiring with the rank of major.

After farming for a couple of years, he founded The Burris Poultry Business, which operated from 1948 until it sold in 1971, at which time he started Burris Logistics, where he continued to actively work until a stroke Dec. 27, 2003.

Mr. Burris was a member of the executive committee of the Wilmington Trust Co. and chaired its Kent County advisory board.

For 19 years, he was a director of the Brandywine Fund.

In 1998, Mr. Burris was inducted into the National Frozen Food Industries Hall of Fame. The Baltimore and Washington Frozen Food Association honored him as "Man of the Year" in 1993 and 1994. He was inducted into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame and twice was named "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" along with his wife, Lillian, by the Milford Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Burris contributed generously of his time and energies to community and educational and service organizations. For 35 years, he served on the Milford Hospital board, having served as chairman.He recently was a member of the Bayhealth Foundation. For 37 years, he and his family annually cooked the chicken dinners for the Milford Hospital Fair.

For 19 years, he served as chairman of the State Integrity Committee and in 2000, he co-chaired the committee that raised funds to remodel the State Archives Building. For more than 20 years, he actively participated in Kent and Sussex Counties United Way Campaigns, serving as chair for many years. He was a charter member of the Milford Lions Club.

He and his wife, Lillian, were honored as exceptional volunteers, receiving the United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society award. He received the Dover Colonial Rotary's "Paul Harris Service Award", the Lions International Melvin Jones Award for "Dedicated Humanitarian Services", the Delmarva Poultry "Citizen of the Year" and the Delmarva Boy Scout Council's "Citizen of the Year".

In 1989, the Prison Ministry of Delaware honored him for his outstanding contribution to fundraising for the new chapel at the Georgetown facility. He also received the Josiah Marvel Cup award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in 1993.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Burris was an active member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford, where he served on the administrative board and was the pastor parish chairman for 18 years.

Mr. Burris said his greatest joys were his family, his business, rowing on Haven Lake, the University of Delaware and the United Way.

Family and friends may call from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 North Church St., Milford, where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested memorial contributions to Avenue United Methodist Church Youth Ministry, 20 North Church St., Milford, DE 19963; or to Delaware Hospice, Kent County Office, 911 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

To send condolences, visit [http://www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers].