Jim Burke

(From Clark Funeral Home)

James Thomas “Jim” Burke age 83, passed from this life at 7:20 a.m., Sunday, September 12, 2021, at his home. He was born October 14, 1937, in Lincoln, Arkansas, the son of the late William Reed and Lora Sutherland Burke.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by sons James Thomas II and Michael Ray Burke, daughter-in-law, Karyn Korte’ Burke; sisters, Lavona Galbraith McGaugh and Ion Bessman; sisters-in-law, Betty Simpson Burke, Erma Bessman Burke, and Mary Burke; brothers, Forest, Bill, John, and Pete Burke.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra Mae Johnson Burke, and son, James Ray Burke; grandchildren, Lynze Smith, Michael A. Burke, Dakota Butler, McKinzie Butler, Skeeter Burke, Melissa Burke, and Taylor Burke.

On October 16, 1965, Jim married Sandy at Mill Creek Baptist Church in Noel, Missouri. He served in the Air Force in Germany in the fifties and worked in aerial reconnaissance. Jim retired after 30 years at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked as a biomedical engineer. After retiring, he made his home with his wife in Neosho, Missouri.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at the Clark Funeral Home Chapel of Memories in Neosho, Missouri. Private burial will be held at Silom Springs Cemetery.