Obituary of James David "Jimmy" Burke

James David "Jimmy" Burke, 75, husband of Janice L. Smith Burke, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Louisville. A native of Frankfort, Jimmy was the son of the late Donald and Lillie Mae Rice Burke. He was a graduate of Franklin County High School and attended Cumberland College and Eastern Kentucky College, and was an Army veteran. Jimmy was retired from IBM, where he had worked for more than 25 years. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church and later attended services at the Masonic Home Chapel, was an avid outdoor sportsman, and loved football and basketball. He will be remembered for his friendliness and fun-loving nature. Along with his wife, Jimmy is survived by three daughters, Apryl Myers, Lori Adams (Bobby), and Leah Burke Krist (Jim); four sons, James David Burke II (Jennifer), Christopher Burke, William J. Gamble, and David S. Gamble; 18 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his beloved pet Miss Kitty. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Helen Simpson and Barbara Wood, and his five brothers, Donald, Curtiss, Richard, W.A., and R. Douglas Burke. A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held in the Hope Lutheran Church at 12:00 p.m. Saturday with Rev. Stephen Flynn officiating. An interment service with military honors will follow at the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday. His seven grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Jimmy's memory be made to the Hope Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.