Gearl DeWayne Burke, age 79, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2021. DeWayne was born September 16, 1941 in Winter Haven, Florida, the son of Daniel Webster Burke and Dessie Lee Parrish.
He was previously a member of Temple Heights Baptist Church. He was known for driving the athletic school bus for Temple Heights Christian School known as “Big Red”. He was a graduate of Brewster Technical High School in Tampa where he lettered in multiple sports and was captain of the football team. He was also an alumni of Pasco-Hernando Community College. He played football at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi. He also served in the United States Air Force. He was a senior bridge inspector with FDOT for 33 years. After retirement, he served as a senior bridge inspector for several engineering firms. He loved fishing and watching Florida State football. In his younger years, he made wood projects at home and enjoyed going on summer vacation with his wife and kids.
DeWayne was preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Frances Louise
Burke; his parents Daniel and Dessie Lee Burke and his nephew, DeWayne Corbitt. Survivors include his son Aaron Burke; daughter Kelly (Monte) McFarland; granddaughter, Meaghan McFarland; brothers, Kenneth (Nancy), Namon (Elaine) and Jerry (Dana) Burke; sisters, Wanda Burke and Rena (Tom) McLinskey; brother-in-law Dennis (Teresa) Corbitt and sister-in-law Alethea Corbitt. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews, 22 great nieces and nephews, and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am, Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Blount and Curry, Terrace Oaks Chapel. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell at 1:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in DeWayne's memory to USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute
https://health.usf.edu/medicine/byrd/donate
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.
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