Burton James Weeks, 63, of Lead, SD, formerly of Scranton, N.D. passed away unexpectedly Dec. 12, 2013 at Apache Junction, AZ. Services for Burt will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28th, 2013 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton with Pastor Mary Peterson officiating.
Burt was born on Nov. 5th, 1950 in Hettinger, N.D., the son of Giles and Shirley Weeks. He attended Haley school for 1st and 2nd grade then Dickinson grade school while his mother Shirley attended Dickinson State University. He then finished out his grade school in Haley. He attended Scranton Public School where he played football for the Miners and was student manager of the Basketball team. Upon graduation in 1968, he attended Wahpeton School of Science for two semesters and then decided to head south where he worked at Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD. In early 1969 he went to Denver, Co and worked for Dave Mestas at his garage.
In early 1970 Burt had to return to Bismarck, ND to have surgery on his elbow. While in the hospital his high school sweetheart Debbie Hedman came to visit him as she was attending Jack's College of Cosmetology. Two days later Burt and Deb were engaged. Deb finished school and Burt returned to Denver and decided to enlist in the Army. At this time the two decided to elope on June 5th, 1970 in Aurora, CO, with immediate family members attending. After 3 months in the army Burt was honorably discharged because of hearing loss, and started to work with his father.
Burt's work in the "oil patch" started in 1971 with a move to Bell Creek, MT. After that Burt and Deb followed work of the oil field, moving them to Weston, WY, where a son, Kelly James was born on February 22, 1973 in Gillette, WY. Igo Oil Well Service brought Burt to work in Recluse, WY. During this time another son, Yuma John was worn on May 7th, 1976 in Buffalo, WY.
The Oil moved Burt's family to various towns and companies for his work: Kerr McGee, Halliburton, Western Gas Processors, Knife River Coal Company, as well as his own company, Big B Oil Well Service.
Burt continued his education by going to night school taking courses in Geology, Welding, Engine Repair and Public Speaking. Somewhere in all this he received his private pilot license where he flew the owner of Igo Oil Well Services to various business meetings.
The oil patch slowed down, the Weeks moved back to the family ranch where they helped Burt's dad with the ranch. In 2009 Burt decided to retire from ranching and moved to SD to work for Hills Material Construction Company and Deb started work for Harley Davidson.
The winters were getting long and cold in SD so in Oct. 2013 the couple decided to move to Arizona for the winter.
Loving his wife of 43 years, proud of his sons and adoring his grandchildren and spending as much time with them as possible Burt was the kindest hearted and generous man you have ever met. He was like a magnet attracting friends from every walk of life.
His passion for motorcycles was very evident with owning many, many bikes throughout his life. If anyone needed any sort of help fixing a bike, Burt was lending a helping hand, asking for no pay. Later in life he discovered a passion for cruising as well, taking numerous cruises with Deb.
He was preceded in death by his parents Giles and Shirley Weeks. He is survived by his wife Debra Weeks, Lead, SD, sons Kelly (Lisa) Weeks and Yuma (Lylie) Weeks, and Grandchildren Kyenne, Haley, Landon, and Falon, all of Gillette, WY.