Thomas Burke

Thomas Gordon Burke

Wrens, GA  –              Thomas Gordon Burke, 93, loving husband of 32 years to Kathy Rae Lowman Burke, entered into his eternal rest Sunday evening, September 1, 2019 at his residence. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held in the Ebenezer Associated Reform Presbyterian Church at 11:00 A.M. Thursday morning, September 5, 2019, with the Reverend Carl Geisik officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

One of eight children born to the late Marie Davis Burke and the late Thomas Orr Burke, Tommie was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County.  After graduating from Wrens High School, Tommie, being a patriot, joined the Army serving during World War II with Patton’s Third Army at Normandy where his courageous heroism earned him a purple heart. Upon his return home, he used the GI Bill to further his education and began a career at Fort Gordon in the annex and then the commissary where he retired as Grocery Manager with 47 years of service. Tommy loved his Lord and Savior, serving Him since he was a young boy at Ebenezer ARP Church.  An outdoorsman, he loved to fish and hunt, especially shooting Quail. A man of many interests, he was a licensed pilot, a graduate of the Arthur Murray Gold Series Ballroom Dance, a gun collector and dealer, just to name a few.  Tommie was described as a “true Burke” which needs no other explanation”. Having a positive, happy disposition, he did enjoy learning and conversations with people. Above all else, he loved his family unconditionally and was most content in their presence—his family was his treasure on earth.

Tommie was also preceded in death by siblings, Grier Burke, Louise Stavely, Eleanor Dye, and Andrew Burke. Other survivors include his children, Gordon Burke, Jr. (Marebel), Deborah Radford, Katherine Robinson (Gerald), James Burke, John Burke, Dennis Simpkins (Carla) and Angela Sutton (Robert); three brothers, William Burke, Ralph Burke (Ann) and Harry Burke (Marilyn); twenty-three grandchildren, Samantha Arnold (Lee), Kiley Drury, Summer Burke, Arjan Meraveles, Christine Mae Meraveles, Julie Smothers (Tracy), Chad Radford (Meagan), Ashley Radford, Chris Radford, Davis Branch, Jessica Young, Justine Branch (Jennifer), Holley Burke, Sarah Kniphfer (Craig), Jamie Burke, Kayla Brassell (Ian), Ashlyn Simpkins, Leah Simpkins, Jenna Simpkins, Stephanie Hadden (Chad), Aaron Hinds, Nicole Singleton (Wesley), and Julianne Sutton; fourteen great grandchildren, Ben Arnold, Will Arnold, Rigsby Arnold, Gage Drury, Berkley Drury, Keaston Sheppard, Kingsley Hopper, Zack Smothers, Josh Smothers, Warner Young, Easton Branch, Karah Grace Kniphfer, Garrett Hadden and Marin Hinds; nieces, nephews, church family and friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Davis Branch, Justin Branch, Tim Burke, Jimmy Clark, Gary Dye and Robert Sutton.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Wednesday evening, September 4, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Karah Grace Kniphfer Fund, c/o Sarah Kniphfer, 1916 Jamestown Road, Matthews, GA 30816.

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