Joseph James Burke

Joseph James (Jim) Burke passed away September 11, 2020, in Boise, Idaho.

Jim was born May 11, 1932, in Washington, DC, to father John Henry Burke and mother Nellie Pearson Fletcher Burke (NSDAR – National Society Daughters of the American Revolution). Jim attended local schools and graduated from Catholic University in Washington, DC, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.

Jim met Maureen at Catholic University on the Rifle Team – both majored in Biology. They married in Pensacola, FL, on November 22, 1957. With Jim in the Navy, they traveled all over the eastern US and Europe. Jim joined the Navy in 1958 and transferred to the Naval Reserves in June 1968. He became Retired Reserve in February 1972. The family originally settled in Falls Church, VA, for several years and then moved to Scottsdale, AZ, in 1971. Jim sold real estate out of a trailer in Fountain Hills, AZ, when it was first breaking ground. From there, he went to work for the Maricopa County Assessor’s Office and then the Highway Department. His final move was to Boise, ID, with his daughters Erin and Shannon.

Jim enjoyed golfing, smoking cigars, drinking gin, and playing cribbage with others. Everyone he met loved his fun personality.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Ellen Burke Fallon, and brother John Edward Burke.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary (Maureen) Kathleen Nill Burke and children Kevin Michael Burke, Brady William Burke, Erin Kathleen Burke Dougherty (NSDAR), Shannon Theres Burke Hirsch (NSDAR), and Kerry Margaret Burke.

Jim will be interred at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.