Jacob (Jay) Burke passed away in Tacoma, Washington on Nov. 25,2009.

He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Cornelia (Connie) Reese Burke, who passed away Dec. 1, 2005.

Jay was born Nov. 28, 1921 in Jenkins County Georgia. He was the son of Ralph Burke and May Bell Messex . His wife Connie was the daughter of James O. Reese and Alma Reynolds of Millen.

Jay joined the US Army in 1938 at the age of 17, to help his rural Georgia family during the depths of the Great Depression. He served in the US Army Infantry for the next 22 years and fought in both World War II and the Korean War. By the end of his career he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

After retiring from the Army, Jay and Connie moved their family to Tacoma, Wash. They both had fallen in love with the Northwest during his service at Fort Lewis. He went on to work for the State of Washington in various managerial roles and retired a second time after many years of service. Later in life he obtained both a BA and an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University and through this example taught his children the value of education and hard work.

In 2009 Jay was married to his second wife Elizabeth Weir Burke. Elizabeth gave so freely with her love and comfort during Jay’s final months that his children will be forever grateful to her.

Jay is survived by two sons, James R. Burke (Issaquah, WA) along with his wife MaryBeth and their daughters Lisa, Kelly and Ryan; and Larry T. Burke (Bainbridge Island, WA) along with his wife Maggie and their daughter Katherine; he is also survived by his daughter Shelby R. Burke (Lakewood, WA ) along with her daughter Randi.

Jay is also survived by many great-grandchildren.

He will be remembered by all of his family as a loving and supportive father.