With heavy hearts, we share the passing of John Thomas "Jack" Burke of South Charleston, WV.
These few paragraphs cannot hold a life, but they may carry a memory.
John spent his working life as ['the investment world with the company E'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Honor is not a word lightly given. John earned it.
John Thomas Burke, 84, of South Charleston, WV, passed away April 27, 2026.
He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on August 9, 1941, to the late Henry and Jean (Beck) Burke.
Jack was the oldest of 6 siblings and graduated from North Catholic high school in 1959. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army as a PVT E1and was stationed in Germany for 2 ½ years. Upon returning home and completing his reserve obligation, he embarked on his finance career with a loan origination company. There he would call upon a young woman, Kathleen Kozik, a bank loan specialist. Overtime, he finally ask her to meet in person and the rest is history. His finance career continued as it would take him and the family to Charleston, West Virginia, in 1971. He attended night school at West Virginia State College, graduated with a degree in finance with a minor in accounting while working full-time and raising a family. In 1986, came the opportunity to start his career in the investment world with the company E.F. Hutton. For the next 39 years, he remained in the same office even when the company name changed. He retired on March 31st, 2025, at age 83. He truly loved his life's work.
Jack is survived by his wife, Kathleen; sons, Matthew Burke (Gretchen) of Huntersville, NC, and Jason Burke (Alicia) of Charleston, WV; grandchildren, Ayden and Ryan Burke, and Dylan (Kaylie), John and Michelle Burke; two great-grandchildren, Haizlee Renee and Hayvn May Burke; siblings, Kerry Burke, Bryon Burke (Linda), Maureen Meiser, and Judith (Jeff) O'Brien, all of Pittsburgh, PA, and Gene Burke of Washington state, and blessed caregiver and family friend, Sherry Massey of Hurricane, WV.
Jack was an avid bicyclist, having participated in the annual MS150 between Lewisburg, WV, and Snowshoe Mountain, WV, for 24 consecutive years. A Catholic by faith, he was a member of Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral for 55 years. He was a giving man who chose to help others, including animals. He volunteered as a committee board member at the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association for years and gave to countless other animal organizations.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, May 4, 2026, at The Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, WV, with the Very Rev. Father Donald X. Higgs officiating. Entombment will immediately follow at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Charleston.
Visitation will begin one hour prior at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier Street, Charleston, WV 25311.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.
Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
