Burks received his bachelor's degree from Murray State University, in 1935, and his master's degree in education from University of Illinois, in 1940.
He also served as assistant director of the Illinois Department of Insurance and was chairman of the Central Casualty Company.
In 1962, Burks ran for the Republican nomination for the United States House of Representatives.
Burks died at an extended care facility in Sun City, Arizona.
This article about a Member of the Illinois House of Representatives is a stub.