James Frederick Burke, 65

James Frederick Burke, 65, of Columbia Falls passed away Monday, Nov. 25, 2008, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was born on July 16, 1943, in Wheeling, W.Va., the son of William and Bervyl (Estep) Burke.

He was a 1961 graduate of Moundsville High School, Moundsville, W.Va. After graduating high school, Jim served in the United States Air Force for eight years.

He was later employed for 20 years at Canyon Logging in Columbia Falls. In 1986, he became the owner and operator of James Burke Trucking, which allowed him to work every day in the mountains he loved. As he approached his retirement years, he worked for Flathead County Eagle Transit, where he spent many enjoyable hours transporting senior citizens around the area. During this time, and after retirement, he also was employed by School District No. 6 as a bus driver.

Jim was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. His generous heart and easy smile made him loved by all who knew him. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, who held a very special place in his heart. His spare time was spent cursing the Montana weather and its effects on his very large and productive garden, attempting to train his wayward dog, Jack, and caring for his prized chicken Helga and her feathered friends.

Jim also loved to spend time in the kitchen or at the barbecue grill, where he could indulge his passion for cooking and baking. He also enjoyed NASCAR, relaxing in his recliner doing crossword puzzles, and doing crazy things to make people laugh.

He was preceded in death by his father, William M. Burke II; and his oldest son, Trent William Burke.

Jim is survived by his mother, Bervyl Estep Burke, of Moundsville; his beloved wife of 46 years, Ruth Eleanor Burke, of Columbia Falls; two sons, James F. Burke Jr. of Columbia Falls, and Clint Burke and his fiancee, Dawn Thompson, of Hungry Horse; two daughters, Shannon and Dean Orcutt, and Becky and Brendt Lynch, both of Holdrege, Neb.; brothers, William M. Burke III and Dianne of Montrose, Colo., and Ronald G. and Sally Burke of Moundsville; and sisters, Judy G. and Sharon J. Burke, of Moundsville. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his 13 grandchildren, Candice Burke of Charleston, S.C., Katie Hayes of Kalispell, Casey and Glenna Burke of Coram, Brent, Nicole and Jake Burke of Hungry Horse, Meghan, Tate and Payton Orcutt of Holdrege, and Miranda, Gavin and Kamryn Lynch of Holdrege. Jim also was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Gwennyth Allyssa Taylor and Phelan Daniel Sinclair, daughter and son of Candice Burke, and Hayden Lee Fulmer, son of Meghan Orcutt.

Friends will be received from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 Seventh St. W., in Columbia Falls, with Pastor Matthew Nelson officiating. Military graveside services and burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

For those who desire, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to the American Heart Association or a charity of their choice.

"There are those you meet in life who can change yours just by their presence, whether it's for a moment or for years … Jim Burke was one of those."