MICHAEL BURKS

1980 - 2025

Michael Burks, 44 years old, was born on December 10, 1980, and passed away on August 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of individuality, determination, and compassion.

From a young age, Michael carried with him a vision of the life he wished to live. He was not one to be swayed by convention or expectation. Instead, he walked his own road—sometimes winding, sometimes uphill, but it was always his.

In his youth, Michael found joy and purpose on the football field. At Archbishop Rummel High School, he excelled as an All-State Running Back in 1997-1998. In his final two seasons at Rummel, All-State player Michael Burks took 494 hand-offs, rushed for 3,228 yards and scored 37 touchdowns. His talent and relentless drive secured an athletic scholarship at Auburn University where he was the Tigers' leading rusher as a freshman in 1998, gaining 483 yards on 152 carries. He continued his football career at Tulane University, and with the NIFL Houma Bayou Bucks. Teammates and coaches alike admired him for his grit, leadership, and unwavering heart—traits that carried far beyond the game.

Beyond the field, Michael was a caregiver and devoted much of his life to serving others, especially those often overlooked. He was baptized on January 29, 2005, at The Pentecostals of Alexandria by Pastor Anthony Mangun in Alexandria, LA. He fed, lived amongst, and preached to the homeless, sharing not only food and comfort but also dignity, respect, and faith. He believed deeply that every person deserved to be seen, heard, and loved, and he embodied that belief with humility and grace.

Though football and service were proud chapters, Michael never let any title solely define him. He found joy not in accolades or possessions, but in the freedom of shaping his own story. He cherished his independence, embraced the beauty of simple moments, and valued authenticity above all else. In his presence, people were reminded that it is possible to live truly and fully when one honors who they are.

Michael is preceded in death by his grandparents: Willie Burks Jr., Anna Burks (Tommie Hunter), Roosevelt and Geraldine Peabody. He is survived by his utmost loving and devoted mother Rosalind (Joe) Brooks of Laplace, father Michael (Sandra) Peabody of Slidell, brother Oscar Peabody, four sons: Bishop, Bentley, and Brison Tedford and Braylen Reed, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends who will remember him as a man who never compromised his spirit. Though his path was his own, his life touched many along the way.

He will be remembered not for the life others expected of him, but for the life he created—his own, wholly and unapologetically.

.Relatives and friends of the family, Pastors, officers and member of Oakland Baptist Church and all neighboring Churches are invited to the Celebration of Life Services at 10:00am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Oakland Baptist Church, 825 Reverend Richard Wilson Drive, Kenner, LA 70062.   Visitation 9:00am until time of service at the above-named Church.  Interment Belle Grove Cemetery on Decatur Street, Kenner, LA.  Final Arrangements entrusted to Patrick H. Sanders Funeral Home & Funeral Directors, LLC.  605 Main Street, Laplace, LA 70068.   985-359-1919.  “Providing Care & Comfort is Our Highest Mission”.