James (Lynn) Burke, Jr.'s Obituary
James (Lynn) Burke Jr., aged 90, passed away peacefully 6 March 2017 after a brief illness. Lynn was born 1 November 1926, in Memphis, Tennessee, to James L. Burke Sr. and Ida Mae Burke. He lived in the Memphis area most of his life, and was a graduate of Whitehaven High School, 1944. After graduation, he attended the University of Mississippi for one semester before entering military service during WWII with the US Navy as a Fire Control man 3rd Class aboard the USS Alabama BB-60. Upon return, he attended the University of Tennessee, as a Civil Engineering and ROTC student until his service was needed in the US Army as a 1LT, Civil Engineering, Korean Conflict. Upon return, he attended Kansas State University as an Architectural student, graduating Summa Cum Laude and scoring the highest grade on record with his final exam. Soon after, he returned to Memphis, and began a partnership with William Beaty; thereby, forming Burke and Beaty Architects. In January of 1970, Lynn became a partner of McGehee, Nicholson, and Burke Architects where he worked until retirement in 2009. During this time, Lynn was responsible for designing over 550 churches, as well as other civic buildings, schools, and retirement communities. Lynn’s family was the proud owners of Burke’s Florist in Memphis, Tn., for many years. Lynn was an active member and Deacon of Germantown Baptist Church, an avid golfer, sailor, and wonderful family man. He led by example and always made family first. He is survived by his wife, Betty Harris Burke, of 65 years, one son, one daughter, three grand children, one great granddaughter, three nieces, cousins, and a life full of loving friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday, 9 March 2017, from 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at Germantown Baptist Church. Burial will be Wednesday 15 March 2017, at 10:45 a.m., at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, in Memphis, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brinkley Heights Baptist Church’s Urban Academy in Memphis, Tn., where Lynn was a mentor and tutor, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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