Donald Burke

Col. Donald M. Burke (U.S.A.F., Retired), 85, of Tucson, AZ passed away January 17, 2020. Don was born August 3, 1934 in Milwaukee, WI to Bernard Francis Burke and Viola Fenner Burke, both of whom have preceded him in death.

He grew up in Zanesville, OH, graduating from Capital University and was commissioned as a distinguished AF ROTC graduate, entering navigator training in TX in 1956. This was the beginning of his distinguished USAF career, which became his life and his passion. At the tender age of 21, Don married Dorothy Hutcheson Farrell, a widow with 3 young children, Paul, Dorothy, and Janet. Don raised those children as his own, and together he and Dorothy had another son, Ronald Burke.

Don's military accomplishments include being a radar interceptor officer and flying special air missions in the European theater. He was assigned to attend graduate studies at Ohio State University, which gave him the credentials to serve as an instructor at the Department of Chemistry at the Air Force Academy. Son Paul attended the Academy during these same years, a great source of pride to Donald. In 1969 Don was assigned to Clark AFB in the Philippines and flew many missions during the Vietnam war.

Following that assignment, he attended Aircraft maintenance Officer School, graduating with honors in 1975. That allowed him to assume command for several Maintenance Squadrons at Pope AFB in NC, Little Rock AFB in AR, and Scott AFB in IL. He was a master navigator with more than 4000 flying hours in fighter and transport aircraft including 750 combat flying hours in SE Asia.

His decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit Award wit device for valor, Combat Readiness Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal.

Following Don's retirement in 1986, he and Dorothy moved to Kingsland, TX, where he designed and built their retirement home. In retirement he served for more than 30 years in countless positions at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Marble Falls, including treasurer, council president, stewardship chair, Sunday School teacher, and singing as a faithful bass in the church choir. A devastating flood in 2018 forced Don and Dorothy to relocate to Tucson, AZ, where they immediately became committed members of their daughter's church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian. Don led a life that was rich in service and commitment to all he held dear.

He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dorothy; brother, Bill Burke (Diane); children, Jan Olafson (Steve), Ronald Burke; daughter-in-law, Karen Farrell; son-in-law, Gene McKahan, 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, and countless friends. Don is preceded in death by his parents; siblings Mary Ann Boniphant, Kenneth Burke, and Sharon Downing; as well as son, Paul W. Farrell II and daughter Dorothy J McKahan.

A Celebration of Life service has been scheduled for2:00 pm, Saturday, February 29 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - SW Campus, 7650 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson AZ 85704. All are welcome to attend. Burial will take place at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Marana.

Donations in memory of Don the Alzheimer's Association or St. Andrew's HUGS Senior Outreach group, 7650 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704.