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Submitted: 10/18/19 • Approved: 10/22/19 • Last Updated: 10/25/19 • R236702-G0-S3
US Army
Infantry
World War I
December 17, 1892 - May 25, 1950
Washington Parish Assessor Otto Burris, one of the parish's most prominent citizens and who had served as assessor since January 1932, died this morning (Thursday) at 10:10 o'clock following a severe heart attack last Saturday.
The assessor's condition had been regarded as critical since he was stricken shortly after noon Saturday en route to his home from the assessor's office in the Court House in Franklinton. He was treated in Franklinton and immediately transferred to the Bogalusa Medical Center. He spent a restful night last night, but his condition took a sudden turn for the worse at 10 am. Ten minutes later, he died.
Mr Burris was born and reared in Franklinton, Louisiana and attended the public schools in that city. He was graduated from the Soule Business College in New Orleans.
During his early days, the assessor had worked in sawmills in Rockport and Tylertown, Mississippi. During World War I, Assessor Burris served in the infantry.
He was later put in limited service as a clerical worker. When he came out of the Army, Mr Burris had a slight heart condition. He had suffered slight heart attacks earlier, but none had been so severe as the fatal attack.
Assessor Burris has been active in politics since he was first elected to office. He was known for his fairness in dealing with assessments, and tax-payers could be assured of a sympathetic ear from Otto Burris when they wanted to consult him about assessment of their property.
Despite what his political opponents or friends might think, Otto Burris held to his own convictions. Earlier this year, he appeared before the parish police jury and sought their support in his plan to re-assess the property in Washington Parish outside the city limits of Bogalusa and Franklinton. The police jury first agreed and finally two months later withdrew their support when criticism developed.
Burris continued his plan to re-assess the property, and was in the process of completing that task at the time of his death. Property had not been reassessed since before Burris took office.
The assessor was an active member of the Franklinton Methodist church, and had served on the church's board of stewards for a number of years. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Mr Burris was also extremely active in civic affairs around Franklinton. He was a director and treasurer of the Washington Parish Free Fair, a member of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce and had headed a number of fund-raising campaigns for such organizations as the American Red Cross.
Assessor Burris was married to the former Eunice Foil. They were the parents of two sons, Shelby of Baton Rouge and Joe of Franklinton and daughter Mrs Hal Kilbourne of Clinton, Louisiana.He is also survived by sisters Mrs F D Cooper and Mrs W A Page, both of Bogalusa, Louisiana; and brothers Walter and Benton Burris both of Franklinton,Louisiana as well as four grandchildren.
Funeral services for the 57-year-old assessor have been set for 2 pm Friday at the Methodist church in Franklinton with the Rev B A Galloway, pastor in charge of the services. Interment will be in Ellis cemetery with Poole Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie D
Contributed on 10/18/19 by billsully060
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Record #: 236702