Timothy Burke’s life presented him with a range of defining moments, from jumping 

out of airplanes as an Army Airborne Ranger in his younger years, to coaching his 

little girls’ soccer teams, to working in dangerous conditions in Iraq and Africa, to 

being Granddad.  

God called Tim home on May 1, 2024.  He was in his home in Magnolia, Texas.  He

was 74 years old.  

Tim was born on September 30, 1949.  Tim (or “little Timmy,” as he referred to his

childhood-self) in his early years lived near his grandparents’ farm in Plainview,

Texas, with his mother and father, Joy and Robert Burke.   He had two brothers,

Michael, and Patrick, and two sisters, Junice, and Dana.  He recalled memories of

heading out to the open farm with his .22 and a book in hand, and his dog in tow,

off to explore, read, and contemplate the things little boys contemplate for hours at

a time.  His memories of the freedom and openness of the Texas farm were some of

the fondest of his life.  

After leaving the Panhandle, his family moved several times and settled in the

Houston area where Tim went to Spring Woods High School and graduated in 1969.

In 1970, Tim joined the Army and became an Army Ranger serving in the 101

Airborne. He went to Sam Houston State University majoring in business and worked

in sales in the Houston area.  He developed a passion for long distance running, and

he trained for and completed in multiple marathons.  It was while on a routine run in

Memorial Park that Tim met Judy, his wife of forty-three years.  Judy credits Tim with

saving   her   from   the   lowest   point   in   her   life   with   his   patience,   wisdom,   and

assuredness. They married on October 24, 1981.  

Tim and Judy had two daughters, Katelin, and Keri.  Tim was a devoted “girl dad”

and poured his time and energy into his family, spending much time coaching and

carpooling girls to soccer practice and games.  He was the clear favorite among

Katelin’s and Keri’s friends and teammates, and without a doubt, impacted more

lives than we now know with the kindness and care that he showed in those years.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tim worked on contract projects for the U.S.

Government in high conflict areas in Iraq and later in Sudan. 

In his last years, Tim’s life slowed in pace due to progressively severe health issues,

but his longstanding endurance remained and showed through in his love and

devotion to his family, especially his grandchildren.    

Tim was preceded in death by his father, Robert, mother, Joy, sister, Junice, and

brother, Patrick.   He is survived by his wife, Judy, his two daughters, Katelin

Williams, and Keri Burns, and five grandchildren, Lincoln, Lane, Finn, Crew, and Livi

Ray.  He is also survived by his brother, Mike, and his sister, Dana.  

While Tim will be greatly missed, his family takes comfort in God’s plan for His glory

and the impact Tim’s life had on many people.

​

There will be a graveside service in Tim’s memory on Monday, June 3, at 10:30 AM

at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX. (as

per instructions - Line up in Lane 1 at 10:15 AM)