Henry Samuel Burress

Henry Samuel Burress, 86, of Asheboro, formerly of Fayetteville, died Saturday, August 10, 2024, at his daughter's home in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Henry was born on February 6, 1938, in Waynesville, NC to the late Robert and Willie Mae Burress. He married Vivian Emma Haugen Burress on September 8, 1962, and their marriage was filled with love and happiness until her passing in 2021.

Henry served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960 and then joined the United States Army in 1961, retiring in 1977. As a member of the Army Special Forces, Henry served three tours in Viet Nam and received a Bronze Star for actions taken in defense of democracy during that war. Of his time as a Green Beret, Henry often said "I loved every minute of it." De Oppresso Liber!

Henry was a quiet, humble man. He was quick with a smile and loved to laugh, his easy personality allowed him to make friends everywhere he went - he made people feel seen and cared for. An avid sports fan, most weekends found him watching college basketball or football (Go Heels!) and NASCAR. He loved to be surrounded by his family, whom he loved deeply.

Henry was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, a devoted husband, and a loving father. His presence will be deeply missed but his family is confident that he is in the loving arms of Jesus and is at peace.

He is survived by daughter, Cathy Hinek and her husband Arjay of Raleigh; sons, Ron Burress and wife Karen of Randleman, Tim Burress and wife Heather of Greensboro; sister, Phyllis Fulbright of Waynesville, brother Dewayne and wife Bunny of Waynesville; grandchildren, Jeremy Burress and wife Stephanie of Shelby, NC, Megan Allred and husband Rick of Hampstead, NC, Capt. Josh Burress, USAF and wife Chloe, Brennan and Cameron Burress, of Greensboro, Cecelia Tynan and husband William; and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Justin Curry of Cross Road Baptist Church, Asheboro, officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:45 a.m. -11:45 prior to services. 

Graveside services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Fullbright Cemetery, Waynesville, NC with Dr. Nick Smith of Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church, Clyde, NC, officiating with full military honors to follow. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (https://give.michaeljfox.org/) or to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (https://specialops.org/give/)

The care of Mr. Burress is being entrusted by Ridge Funeral Home www.ridgefuneralhome.com and Wells Funeral Home www.wellsfuneralhome.com