Albert Augustus Burk, Jr., 77, of Memphis passed away on September 7,2022. Albert is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Augustus Burk, Sr., and Mary Frances Stein Burk. He is survived by his brother, Stephen Prentiss Burk (Debbie-Jo) of Olathe, KS, and his sister, Carol Ann Angel (Charlie) of Fernandina Beach, FL. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Ashley Burk Wood (Seth) of Bartlett; Hunter Burk of Atlanta, GA; Taylor Burk of Portland, OR; Katie-Grace Burk of Harlem, NY; Darby Burk of Charleston, SC; great-niece, Madison Wood of Bartlett; and great-nephew, Jackson Wood of Bartlett.
Albert began playing for church services when he was 10 years old at Chelsea Avenue Methodist Church. At 16, he became the organist for Schoolfield Methodist Church. After graduating from Frayser High School as Valedictorian, he accepted the organist’s position at McLean Baptist Church and studied sacred music at Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes) where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction. At Southwestern, he studied organ under the direction of Dr. Adolph Steuterman. Albert continued his studies at Union Theological Seminary. His career in music included positions as Music Director at First Presbyterian Church, Church of the Incarnation (Collierville), and St. Louis Catholic Church. He also substituted as organist at many other churches in the Memphis area and played the organ for graduations at Ellis Auditorium.
Albert was an active member of the American Guild of Organists. His dedication to church music was evident in his every day life, working to support the liturgy of the church with appropriately selected sacred music. He touched many people with his church work while also playing for weddings, funerals, and events with his very sweet and kind disposition. He was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in his later years and played there on occasion.
Visitation will be September 13 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave., Memphis 38119. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 2425 S. Germantown Road, Germantown 38138. Interment will be at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh Lagrange Rd., Memphis, 38134. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Guild of Organists (AGO) or the charity of your choice. The address for the Memphis Chapter, American Guild of Organists is as follows: P. O. Box 770004, Memphis, TN 38117-0004, Attention: Karen Strawhecker, Treasurer.
