Reverend Ralph Edward Burke, age 95, of Dallas, Texas, was called home to be with the Lord August 21, 2016, with his daughter Kim at his side. He was born July 12, 1921 in DeAnn, Arkansas to Jesse Calvin and Annie Lowe Burke.
Growing up, he worked on the family farm and cotton gin until after high school when he joined the Army in 1942. While on furlough in Oklahoma, he married Marjorie Malone on February 20, 1943. She was his cherished wife for over 61 years.
After training at Camp Polk in Louisiana, he was deployed with the 985th Field Artillery Battalion attached to II Corps and 5th Army. His 511 days in combat included several battles in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. In 1945 he received an Honorable discharge and returned home.
After the war, Ralph and Marge moved to Dallas where he attended SMU, earning a Bachelor’s degree in 1956 and later a Masters degree from the Perkins School of Theology. He received a student appointment in 1957, was ordained Deacon in 1965, and was ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1967. Ralph served several congregations in the North Texas Conference. He served on the Board of Ordained Ministry, Conference Insurance Commission and the Board of Church Extension.
While attending graduate school, he was busy as a Secondary classroom teacher in the DISD. His hard work and dedication led him to become a Curriculum Specialist and Administrator for the District. He retired from the District, after serving 27 years in 1983. During this time, he remained active in the North Texas Conference and served within the leadership of several churches.
Later, he had almost a 20 year appointment at First United Methodist Church in Rowlett, and then to First United Methodist Church in Plano in 1985. During his ministry in Plano, he and Marge founded the Friendship Class in 1994 and he served as the teacher until his retirement. When Marge passed away in 2004, the class was renamed the Marge and Ralph Burke Sunday School Class. This class has remained active within the church community throughout the years and attributes this to the loyal founding members who are still actively involved.
In 2007, First Church Plano named him Pastor Emeritus, and it was one of his proudest honors. He continued to attend the Burke Class and Church as long as his health would allow.
Through his respect for the warplanes that helped win World War II, Ralph maintained a long time membership and rank of Colonel in the Confederate Air Force, now known as the Commemorative Air Force. This group works to preserve historic aircraft for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. In 2014, he was selected for the Honor Flight DFW where he, along with many other WWII veterans, were given an all-expense paid trip to tour the various war memorials in our nation’s capital of Washington D.C. in honor of their sacrifice for our country.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim Burke McDaniel and husband, Gil, of Dallas, Texas; granddaughters, Meagan and Shannon McDaniel; brother, Johnny Burke of Hot Springs, Arkansas; sisters, Ann Woodward of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Sue Roe of Santa Ana, California.
Ralph is preceded in death by his wife Marjorie Burke; parents, Jesse and Annie Burke; brother, James Hoyt Burke; sisters, Arlene Willis, Belva June Glanton; and infant son, Robert Edward Burke.
Sincere thanks are given to all the special friends from Ralph’s multiple congregations he served, and the Burke Class for their continued expression of love and caring.
The family would like to thank the Guardian Angels Group Home in Richardson. Joshua, Susan, Beth and Sophie, through their tireless work and genuine caring, made his last months pleasant and comfortable.
The family will receive friends during a visitation being held from 6 until 8, Thursday evening at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 1:00, on Friday, August 26, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to:
First Church Plano Building Fund
3160 E Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074