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Major General Rupert H. Burris (USAF Ret.), 84, of El Dorado, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.

Born Sept. 24, 1925, in Whelen Springs, to Thomas A. Burrris and Estelle Grammer Nelson Burris, he was the first nonrated officer ever to head an Air Force major command. He graduated from high school in 1943 in El Dorado and received a batchelor of arts degree in business administration from Jackson College, Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1958. He attended Squadron Officer School and the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Va. During World War II, he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Forces in October 1943 and served as a B-17 aircraft armorer/gunner in the European theater of operations, completing 30 combat missions over Germany and France.

His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with “V” device; Good Conduct Medal; Vietnamese Honor Medal, First Class; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; and the Republic of China Meritorious Service Medal, Class A, Second Degree.

He was a member of Mount Holly Presbyterian Church; a Shriner; a member of the U. S. Air Force Communicator Hall of Fame and the Order of Sword.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Julia Jo Burris; a daughter, Julie Dahlstrom; and a son, John Burris.

Survivors include one daughter, Clarice Long and her husband, Chris, of Smackover; a brother, Thomas A. Burris and his wife, Chris, of Spokane, Wash.; a sister, Jane Ann Gray and her husband, Donald, of Homer, La.; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Young’s Funeral Directors.

Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Young’s Chapel with the Rev. Jim Burks officiating. Interment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park under the direction of Young’s.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. An online guest book is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.