Henry Samuel Burress

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

Henry was born on Feb. 6, 1938, in Waynesville, NC, to the late Robert and Willie Mae Burress.
He married Vivian Emma Haugen Burress on Sept. 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, Aug. 16, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Justin Curry of Cross Road Baptist Church, Asheboro, officiating.  
Graveside services with military honors will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at Fulbright Cemetery, Waynesville, NC, with Dr. Nick Smith of Lake Junaluska First Baptist Church, Clyde, NC, officiating.  

The family will receive friends from 10:45-11:45 a.m. on Friday at Ridge Funeral Home prior to the service, and again from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday at Wells Funeral Home prior to the graveside service.  

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/)

Condolences may made online at www.ridgefuneralhome.com.