Joe was born and raised in Lufkin, TX. Having graduated from Lufkin High School, he attended Stephen F. Austin College. From there Joe volunteered for service in the U.S. Army. He worked as OR tech at Ft. Hood, Texas. Joe received his medical degree in 1968 from the University of Texas Medical School in Dallas. His internship and residency were completed at John Peter Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth. During his internship, he married Virginia Hall, and shortly thereafter, adopted her three children--Angela, Cathy, and Chris.
Joe entered private practice in 1970 working from his father's old office building. Eventually, he transitioned to working for the state of Texas providing medical services for children and adults with Down's Syndrome. While living in Denton, Texas, he attended Denton Bible Church.
Joe's hobby of choice was flying his Piper Cherokee plane. He was an active member of the Flying Physicians Association.
In 2007, he met and married Rebecca Estes of Little Rock, Arkansas. Becky moved to Texas, and together they settled in Granbury, where they attended Grace Bible Church.
Joe is survived by his wife, Becky, of Cleveland, Tennessee. He leaves behind his sister Jane Burch Thrash of Georgetown, Texas, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, the Reverend Robert C. Burch, and his infant son, Joseph S. Burch, IV.
Joe will be laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery in Lufkin, Texas.
We invite any donations in lieu of flowers to be given to either:
Grace Bible Church of Granbury
201 E. Clifton Road
Granbury, TX 76049
or
Breckenridge Village
15062 CR 1145
Tyler, TX 75704
