John Harris Burke

John Harris Burke, handsome, smart businessman, loved by all, oh-so-funny, jokester, who knew everyone, never met a stranger, boat lover, dog lover, fabulous husband, dad, grandad, brother, relative and friend, “Johnny-Boo-Boo,” passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 70 years of age. He came out a Winner on his way to Eternal Life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was the son of Edmund Thomas Burke, Sr. and Mary Evelyn Harris Burke who predecease him. He is also predeceased by his grandparents, John Major and Ola Mae Baker Harris, Jack Burke, Sr. and Quo Vadis Quayle Burke; and six fabulous Burke/McConn aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jan Jarvis Burke; children, John Harris Burke II and Brett Jarvis Burke (Julie); grandchildren, Ella, Evelyn and Bethany Burke; sister-in-law, Waynell Jarvis Cooley of DeRidder, Louisiana; brother-in-law, Rick Jarvis (Susan) of Houston; siblings, Edmund Thomas Burke, Sr. (Janet), Robin Burke Britt (Kyle), James Patrick Burke (Liz) amd Carrie Burke Graves; uncle, Jack Burke, Jr. (Robin); aunt, Toni Burke; nine nieces and nephews; and 27 Burke/McConn/Van Zandt/Lane 1st cousins.

The family wishes to extended their sincere gratitude to his always optimistic oncologist at MD Anderson, Dr. Tu, and all the caring clinicians/nurses at MD Anderson and Houston Hospice.

John founded and was CEO of InDrill Supply since 1987, South Texas Sales Manager, Outdoor Equipment/Weed Eater for seven years. Formal education began at St. Michael’s Catholic school and continued at St. Thomas Catholic High School and Robert E. Lee High School, all in Houston, and then on to the University of Texas at Austin, where he often said he “majored in shuffleboard and water skiing” and was a loyal Member Beta Theta Pi Social Fraternity.

From a young age, John’s major initiatives in life were helping anyone, giving/loaning money, or giving time and money to charitable organizations. John had a true gift for humor, and anyone who knew him experienced true laughter and joy. He adored his close personal and extended family, friends and colleagues and rarely missed a family event. John’s daily mantra was “share some love today.”

Other life passions included world travel, golf, boating, fishing in Surfside, Texas, AA attendance and serious job of AA mentoring. He adored growing up around Champions Golf Club. John personally built and managed two Christian churches, in Freer and Surfside used for services and AA meetings.

John would want you to know “He believed in Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior” Eph 3:16, and that without his Christian Faith, earthly life would have been harder to love. John lived life BIG “one day at a time.”

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 20th of October, in the parlor and Republic Wine Room of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where recitation of the holy rosary for the deceased is to commence at seven o’clock in the adjacent Jasek Chapel.

The Rite of Committal is to be conducted at noon on Friday, the 21st of October, at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, where a uniformed steward from Geo. H. Lewis & Sons is to be positioned at the entrance, so as to direct attendees to the gravesite.

Immediately following, via escorted cortege, guests are invited to the Memorial Mass St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston.

The Memorial Mass is to be offered at two o’clock, where Father Peter Wood, Parochial Associate, is to serve as celebrant.

In lieu of customary remembrances, John would appreciate contributions in his memory to Young Life Christian Ministry, 8945 Long Point Road, Ste. 114, Houston, TX, 77055 (giving.younglife.org); or to any charity close to your heart.

Please visit Johnny’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with his family.

He loved you all and was blessed in the last days of his life by family and friend visits, calls, texts and notes, which truly eased him into Heaven!