The first director for the John Thornberry Unit when it opened its doors in 1968. (posthumously)

Lester J. Burks was born on October 23, 1930, in Ashdown, Arkansas. He received his formal education in Ashdown. He attended Grambling College in Grambling LA and after three years went into the Armed Services and served two years. He played with the Harlem Globetrotters for seven years and migrated to Kansas City Missouri after leaving the team.

He was Director of the Thornberry Boys Club for approximately 10 years and later employed as a Director at City of Kansas Parks and Recreation Department.