Joseph Patrick Burke, Jr.

Joseph Patrick Burke Jr, age 81, stepped into heaven peacefully from home on Friday, April 5, 2024.
 
Mr. Burke was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, on June 11, 1942, and was a graduate of Pensacola High School Class of 1960. He joined the Air Force after high school and honorably served for 21 years, most of his time serving as an Air Traffic Controller. He retired from active duty in 1984 and later worked in car sales and finance around the Florida Panhandle. After his four boys were all grown and married, he later retired and settled down on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and enjoyed playing poker where he met and married his wife Ann in 2003. They were two of a kind, working on a full house!
 
Mr. Burke spent most of his life as a single parent who raised four boys into men. He was very kind, compassionate, and caring. He would always do anything he could to help others in need. Never showing anger or hatred towards anyone and taught them to love others and always treat others with kindness. He taught his boys a work ethic, sometimes working multiple jobs to care for and provide for his family. He remarried Jo Edwards in 1980, which lasted until 1984. While her efforts to tame him were futile, she established a loving relationship with the boys that stands to this day.
 
 Mr. Burke shared his dying wish to see everyone in his family, from oldest to youngest, come to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.
 
 Mr. Burke is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Patrick Burke, Sr.; mother, Lucille Vivian Nemeth; and stepfather, Edward John Nemeth.
 
Survivors include his loving wife, Ann Burke; his four boys and their families: Chris & Jill Burke, Scott & Heather Burke, Shawn & Mia Burke, and Ty & Sarah Burke; his three stepsons and their families: Monty & Fernanda Dames, Luke & Amanda Dames, and Derek & Christi Williams, as well as Sheri & Brian Sparling and Ricky Edwards; his 20 grandchildren: Shelton, Serena, Kylie, Vincent, Ayla, Liam, Davis, Carolina, Sabrina, Mel, Luke, Kevin, Madelyn, Shalie, Layla, Kaylen, Blake, Lauren, Taylor, Christopher; and by his great-grandson, Finnley. Every one of them was his favorite!
 
A family-only graveside service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida, at a later date when the family can all be present.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Joseph Patrick Burke Jr.