Walter "Jay" Burk

Walter Joseph Burk II (Jay to all those who knew and loved him) departed this life on April 10, 2022. Jay was a true Renaissance man. He came from a distinguished military family who traveled the world before finally settling in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was a multi-talented individual with a wide variety of interests. He attended Fort Smith Junior College before transferring to the University of Arkansas, where he earned his degree.

Jay’s primary interest was the theater, and he was involved in many productions at Fort Smith Junior College, the University of Arkansas, and the Fort Smith Little Theater. He was a virtuoso piano player who could also sing, dance, and act. He directed and performed in many shows at the Fort Smith Little Theater. He was also involved for many years with the Red Stocking Revue.

Jay was an incredible artist and for a time ran his own ceramic shop in Fayetteville. After coming back to Fort Smith, he worked regularly at Fort Smith Ceramics which was owned and operated by his parents.

In addition to his artistic and musical talents, Jay was also a gifted polyglot. He spoke Spanish and Russian. He was fluent in American Sign Language and Spanish Sign Language. He taught Spanish for a time at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

He was interested in ocean liners and had a large collection of ocean liner memorabilia, posters, and photos. He loved Broadway musicals and had a large collection of complete scores. Christmas was his favorite time of year. He had numerous Christmas trees and a collection of thousands of Christmas ornaments. He was a great fan of Magnum P. I., The Avengers, and Mary Tyler Moore and collected every episode of each show. His favorite superhero from childhood was Superman, and throughout his life he collected comic books and Superman memorabilia. He was also an avid reader and was never without a book.

His favorite job and the one that filled him with the most gratitude was his years as manager of the Fort Smith Fights Aids office at the Central Mall. His clients loved him, and he went out of his way to help each and every one. He was also deeply involved in the anonymous testing program which provided testing at the mall office and in the drug and alcohol rehab facilities in Fort Smith. Over a period of time, thousands of people were tested.

Jay had a wide variety of close friends. He will be sadly missed by all. A celebration of his life will be held at the Fort Smith Little Theater on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Everyone who knew Jay is welcome to attend and share their remembrances. Jay did not stand on ceremony, so please come as you are.

Jay is survived by his niece Aimee Minick Furness and her husband, Greg Furness of Dallas, Texas and his great-nephew, Matthew Furness. He is also survived by his nephew and his family, Travis Trotter and Elizabeth Trotter and their two sons Alister and Oliver of Phoenix, Arizona.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Col. Walter J. Burk and Kathryn Burk, his sisters Jean Burk Pence and Judy Burk Trotter, and his nephew, Trevor Trotter.

Cremation services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com