‘Tragedy’ in Gulfport. Young man mowed down beside beach highway was ambitious, hard-working
The death of 25-year-old D’Ante Burks is one of those tragedies that makes life hard to understand.
He was filled with promise. He was ambitious, hard-working and talented in many areas. Burks was struck down Monday afternoon by a car while sitting on a bench that overlooked the beach on U.S. 90 in Gulfport. The couple in the car was fighting when they left the road, police said. They have been charged with manslaughter.
“I got the word last night and it just broke my heart,” said John Whitfield, CEO of Climb Community Development Corp. and pastor of Morningstar Baptist Church, both in Gulfport.
Burks graduated in 2021 from Climb, where young people receive workforce training or a second chance at education that equips them for adulthood.
At Climb, Burks stood out. He achieved more certifications than other students, working his way through construction, culinary service, environmental stewardship and other classes.
No other student came close to Burks’ achievement, Whitfield said, adding that Burks received financial incentives of $4,000 for all his hard work, far more than any other student.
Gulfport man had big ambitions
He wanted to own a business one day, Whitfield said. While at Climb, he went to work at Hooters of Gulfport, where he washed dishes and helped the waitresses clear off their tables.
“He was just a hard worker, really good kid,” said general manager Melvin Ray. “He was very ambitious.” Ray said customers would see how hard Burks worked and tip him, even though he was not a waiter.
Burks’ death, Ray said Tuesday morning, “is a true tragedy.”
Burks was “an old soul,” who loved classic rhythm and blues, and blues music, Ray said.
After he graduated, he returned to Climb to give motivational talks to other students.
“He would just talk to them about not giving up.,” Whitfield said. “If you have a dream, pursue your dream.”
While Burks’ dreams have ended, the example he set for others will endure.
“I think the Lord needed him more than we needed him,” Whitfield said. “There are a lot of good people who were taken away from here in what we think is an untimely fashion and it is unfortunate in our humanness that we do not understand God’s divine plan. This is one of those cases.”
The family has started a GoFundMe account to raise $5,000 for funeral expenses.
This story was originally published January 30, 2024 at 11:19 AM.
