Marvin Wilson Burke

Marvin graduated from North High School in 1952 and from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Following his educational path, Marvin did his American duty with the United Stated Army and served 2 years in Baumholder, Germany.

Marvin and Dorene were married on December 26, 1959, and moved to San Francisco for six years before returning to Denver in 1966. Together they had 4 children, Darrell, Donald, Karen and Nancy.

Marvin became an IRS agent soon after graduating and retired after 40 years in 1997. Following his retirement, he spent 3 years training new agents on the ins and outs of the business.

Marvin was a huge history buff, especially of railroads and trails. Marvin and Dorene would take their children all over Colorado and the country to visit railroad museums and explore trails. They became members of OCTA (Oregon California Trails Association) and eventually Marvin became the treasure of the association. They have easily accumulated over 300,000 miles over the years with their trail hunting and off-roading treks. Dorene would often tell Marvin, “don’t let the slope bother you,” or “you’re rather close to the edge on my side.”

In the fall of 1972, Marvin began his soccer coaching career with "C" league boys. This continued until 1986 or 1987. During this time, he coached boys from "C" league through under 19 recreational. He also coached a girls team from "C" through "A" and took the under 16 girls state championship in the recreational league in 1982, with the help of his daughter Nancy. His wife, Dorene, was the assistant coach during this time.

He began refereeing in 1973 and continued until approximately 2013 when his body go longer keep up with the players. He refereed in youth, both recreational and competitive, high school (boys and girls), college, both varsity and club, and the adult leagues. During his soccer career he had refereed well over 3,000 games, on all levels.

Marvin was the president of the Northglenn Soccer Club during its beginning years, in the early 1970's for a year and a half. He was the secretary for SOAC from 1973 until June 1988. During this time he got SOAC Incorporated and a tax exempt status with the IRS. When Marv started as secretary, there were 40 names on the SOAC and USSF list of referees, and when he finished in June of 1988, there were over 400 plus on the SOAC list and about 1,250 on the USSF list. As you can tell Marvin dedicated a large portion of his life to soccer and the development of numerous youths and in 1989 he was inducted into the Colorado Soccer Hall of Fame.

The above accomplishments would not have been possible if it were not for his wife Dorene, who had to endure numerous tirades, gnashing of teeth, and many evil incantations because some things weren’t completed or someone didn't complete an assignment as promised.

Marvin is proceeded in death by his wife of 52 years, Dorene.

Marvin is survived by his children Darrell (Patti) Burke of St Louis, MO, Donald (Jennifer) Burke of Henderson, CO, Karen (Chris) Harmon of Lakewood, CO, and Nancy Salts of Broomfield, CO; grandchildren Ryan Burke, Eric Burke, Haley Burke, Rachel Burke, Brittany Farmer, Sydne (Justin) Grimes, Kodi Ainsworth, Adam Hinchliff, Jacob Hinchliff and Zachary Salts; great grandson Porter Hinchliff.

A funeral service for Marvin will be held Monday, April 26, 2021 at 9:30 AM Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Pavilion of Reflections with a committal service to follow.

Oregon-California Trails Association, P.O. Box 1019, Independence, MO 64051-0519.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CrownHillFuneral.com for the Burke family.