A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, for Mr. Chester King Burnham, 93, of Brookhaven, Miss. He died Sept. 19 at The Orchard Retirement Home in Ridgeland.
Mr. Burnham was born and raised in Jackson, where his parents operated auto parts supply businesses on South State Street and Hwy. 49 North. He was a graduate of Central High School, Class of 1948, and the University of Mississippi where he also served in the ROTC during the Korean War. After college he worked for Dumas Milner at automobile dealerships in New Orleans before purchasing the Ulmer Chevrolet dealership in Brookhaven in 1955. He later acquired the local Oldsmobile dealership and operated the combined Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealership in Brookhaven until 1969 when he leased the dealership to James Magee. Shortly afterward he returned home to Jackson and operated a Kenworth Truck dealership for several years. In recent years he divided his time between Jackson and Brookhaven. He was a faithful supporter of all athletic programs at the University of Mississippi.
Mr. Burnham is preceded in death by his parents, Chester King Burnham and Freda Johnson Burnham Laughlin, and his stepfather, John A. Laughlin.
The noon memorial service and visitation (11 a.m. until time of service) will be held at Riverwood Family Funeral Service in Brookhaven. Visitation and burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson at 3 p.m.
