Gary June Burke

Gary June Burke passed away peacefully at Riverside Nursing Home on March 7, 2016 in Centralia, Washington. He was born in Lebanon, Oregon to Guthrie Burke and Viola (Kemerling) Burke on May 7, 1938. Gary was full of life and spirit. He loved to tell jokes and pull jokes on people and make you laugh. Gary loved the outdoors, hiking, going to the beach and mountains. He was a veteran and served the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Early in life, he was an amateur wrestler, weight lifter, runner, and a strong swimmer. He liked spending time with family and friends. He also loved to travel. By trade, he was a boilermaker and iron worker in Portland, Oregon, a union man. Gary’s family nickname was Jughead, given to him by our dad. I remember a time in a restaurant when we had finished our meal and Gary was lagging behind, as he would sometimes. I turned and yelled out “Come on Jughead, we are leaving.” He was so mad at me for calling him Jughead in public. He will all ways be our Jughead, bless him. Gary lived in Portland, Oregon until he retired. Upon retirement, he moved to Centralia, Washington in 1995 to be closer to family. In 1999, he decided to travel some and moved to LaGrande, Oregon. He became ill in 2002 and spent six months in the veterans’ hospital. He then moved back to Centralia to be close to family where he lived until his death. Around Centralia, folks who knew him called him Coach. Gary was preceded in death by his father, Guthrie Burke in 1976; and his son, Nathan Burke in 1984. He is survived by his mother, Viola E. Burke of Spokane, Washington; daughter, Tammy Burke of Oregon; daughter, Kathy Sargent of North Carolina; sister, Karen Etheredge, and brother-in-law, Ken Etheredge of Winlock; brother, Terry Burke, and sister-in-law, Jan Burke of Royal City. Gary has three granddaughters, a great grandson, and nieces and nephews who called him Uncle Chewy. He was also blessed with great nieces and great nephews. He was loved by many and his memory will live on. Please leave memories of Gary or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.