John Burke

John Edmund Burke, Sr. (aka Johnny, J5, Daddy and P-Paw), passed away in the early hours of Thursday, November 17, 2023. Johnny was born October 5, 1941 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the late Mildred Catherine and William Byron Burke. From a young age, Johnny seemed to excel at everything he tried. In 1951 he helped his baseball Little League team win the Oklahoma State Championship. He still has his winning letter jacket today. He became an Eagle Scout often speaking of earning various difficult badges. At Spring Branch high school, he helped his swim team win state. Johnny also had a passion for speed, steep terrains and powerful machines. His pursuits ranged from his speed boat (never turning down a challenge to race another boat and teaching each of his kids how to ski) to his Harley Davison motorcycle, to his ’92 Zr1 Corvette that he raced all over Texas with his best friend, Mike Kirby, to his beloved ‘04 Jeep LJ off roading until Covid ended an incredible rock-crawling career. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1963 (WHOOP) with a Petroleum Engineering degree. This led to many years in the oil business. In the 80’s he moved to Bastrop, Texas. Here he managed Aqua Water Supply Corporation for 23 years. Locals and travelers alike can still see his well-known smiley faced water tanks as they travel through Bastrop County. He became very influential in the Texas water community during that time and was on numerous water boards and associations. Johnny was particularly proud of his work for water conservation in the state of Texas and protection of our aquifers. He was very active at his church Bastrop Christian Fellowship where he led worship for many years. It was in Bastrop that he started the Still Rockin Band with his dear friend, Tommy Schaper, winning the “Best in Bastrop” award in 2009. In 2017 he moved to Cypress, Texas where he joined Salem Lutheran Church. He continued to be very involved in his church and in the water business until his passing. Johnny is survived by his wife, Martha Younker Burke (Marnie), his sister Carole von Hedemann and children, John Burke Junior (JJ), Dale Miller and her husband Jason, Becki Burke, Matthew Burke, Malcolm Hartman and his wife Amber, Richard Hartman and his wife Kim; and Grace Schaper and her husband Cale. Johnny has twelve grandchildren, one great-grand child, three nieces and a nephew. Johnny loved his children and his dogs, was generous to many, full of wisdom, an amazing listener, and a known prayer warrior. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John's memory; some of his favorite charity organizations to support included: The Wounded Warrior Project: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=16828&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS23008AAABRXAA&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0LNKP2dsiNhjeMV1Q1UkLg0acqevWSRNxB8SjSlTyNuFIH_SqPPOnxoCTbkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Salem Lutheran Church: https://www.salem4u.com/giving/ Tunnels to Towers: https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/?_gl=1*14brl9n*_ga*MjA0NjkzNjQ4OS4xNzAxMTg0NDcw*_ga_KKJBEGGEYM*MTcwMTE4NDQ3MC4xLjAuMTcwMTE4NDQ3MC42MC4wLjA.#!/donation/checkout A note from Addison Funeral Home: The family of Mr. John Burke is not affiliated with any GoFundMe or other fundraising campaign, and any fundraising effort for their family published on their behalf should be considered fraudulent.

John Burke

October 5, 1941 - November 18, 2023