James Walden Burke's Obituary
James Walden Burke was born March 30, 1930 in Miami, OK to George & Regina
(Moore) Burke, and went to be with the Lord on May 18, 2022 in Tulsa, OK. At the age of 92.
He received his education in Chouteau, OK & graduated from Chouteau High School in 1949
where he served as class Vice President. He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and served in the
Korean War. After he was discharged from the Army in 1954. He met & married Joyce
(Kendrick) Burke on February 5, 1955 in Tulsa, OK at Jim’s Aunt Nora Wallace’s home. Into
this marriage four girls were born. Jamie, Terri, Kelly, and Tracy. Jim and Joyce were
married 27 years when Joyce went to be with the Lord on July 3, 1982.
On Oct 19, 1999 Jim married Ruth Carol Brown and into this marriage he gained two step
daughters Vicki Ludiker and Debbie Baab. Jim and Ruth were married for 22 years at the
time of his death.
Jim loved to bird hunt in his early years and loved fishing. For many years he would fish all
year and hold a fish fry in September at his lake home and feed close to 100 people.
He loved spending time with his siblings and their families, for all his nieces and nephews
held a special place in his heart. Jim loved the gatherings his daughters and extended
daughters had but most of all he loved watching the grandkids and great grandkids grow.
He loved teasing the grandkids and making them think he could do magic!
He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Burke of the home, daughters Terri and husband Jimmy
Short of Collinsville, OK, Kelly and husband Larry Karkosky of Skiatook, OK, Tracy and
husband Rocky Turner of Skiatook, OK, Step-daughters, Vicki and husband Steve Ludiker of
Tulsa, OK, and Debbie and husband Mike Baab of Tulsa, OK. Nine grandchildren, eleven
great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Joyce Burke, oldest daughter Jaime
Thompson, brother Dale and sister in-law Lucille Burke, brother Gerald Burke and sister
Virginia Burke Perkins.
In Lieu of flowers, family has asked donations be made in James honor and name to the Cedar Point Church Kid's Building Fund in Claremore, Oklahoma, or to the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2022, at the Floral Haven Visitation Suites, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Cedar Point Church, 1660 North Lynn Riggs Boulevard, Claremore, Oklahoma, Monday, May 23, 2022.
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