Jerry R. Burke

Jerry Burke, 62, of Missoula was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 27, 1953, to parents Mary Jane and Joseph Burke. Jerry found rest on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in Missoula. As a child, Jerry and his siblings spent much of their time in the outdoors exploring. Miami White Water Forest was a regular hang out and weekly picnic spot for the Burke family. Upon graduation from high school, Jerry joined the Marine Corps where he served for seven years. In his early 20s Jerry moved out west with his twin brother, Terry, and settled in Missoula where Jerry's love of the Northwest began.

Jerry was very fit, running and placing twice in the 26-mile Mountain Goat Marathon through the rugged terrain of the Bitterroot Mountains. He also climbed Lolo Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and many other peaks. Jerry's love of the wilderness was complemented by his talent for catching phenomenal photographs including wild horses, fox, high desert flowers and coyote cubs just outside their den.

Jerry especially enjoyed hiking with family. Some of his favorite haunts included Glacier National Park, Oregon's Willamette Valley, the Big Island (Hawaii), the Oregon coast, Hot Springs of the Northwest and the Mission Mountains. Jerry found comfort and peace in these beautiful places.

Jerry was survived by his siblings and their families, Joe (Karen) Burke, Maureen (Dale) Bernhard, Pat (Joyce) Burke and Ann Burke, all of Cincinnati, Mike (Linda) Burke of Holland, Michigan, and Terry (Ruth) Burke of Missoula and his cousin Tim (Lori) Zeiser of Frenchtown. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Joseph Burke.

The funeral service is scheduled at St. Francis Xavier at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. A reception will follow immediately. Military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Western Montana Veteran's Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Family Promise of Missoula P O Box 5882, Missoula MT, 59806 or American Legion Post 101, PO Box 7001, Missoula, MT 59807.
Read Jerry Burke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.