Born Dec 24, 1940, in Jackson MS, Charlie attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and joined the US Navy serving as an Engineering Officer aboard several destroyers. Charlie was assigned as an ROTC instructor at the University of Louisville where he began his law studies, completing his law degree at Ole Miss before transferring to the Judge Advocate General Corps to serve as an attorney and judge. Following his retirement from the Navy, Charlie opened a private law practice in Virginia Beach.
Charlie and Bonnie made numerous long distance cruising trips including several Great Loop adventures aboard their trawler, Sonata.
Charlie was predeceased by his father and mother, Charles Miller and Lillian Russell Burke. He is survived by wife Bonnie of Portsmouth, VA; siblings Ann Andersen of Denver CO, Dorothy Hemphill of Jackson MS, John Burke of Ridgefield CT, Barbara Stockett of Jackson MS, and Mary Ruth Marks of Madison WI;
sons Scott (Fonda) of Virginia Beach and David (Susan) of Madisonville, LA; stepchildren Rhonda Armstrong (Leslie), Brandi Rood (Jonathan); eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Monday February 14, 1:00 pm at Pinecrest Baptist Church, 207 Felton Rd, Portsmouth VA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to International Cooperating Ministries (ICM), 1901 N. Armistead Ave, Hampton VA 23666, in honor of Charles Burke. Donations will fund construction of a new church in East Asia, where Charlie served his country and loved the people.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kellumfuneralhome.com for the Burke family.
