Laurence R. Larry Burke, age 72, passed away at his home on Sunday, December 9, 2007 with his family at his side. Larry was born on May 17, 1935 in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Hamilton, Washington in 1946 and was raised there by his mother and step-dad Cleo and George Meins.
In 1949, he moved with his parents to Skagway, Alaska and stayed there for one year. He graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 1954 where he enjoyed sports and was a four year letterman. From 1954 to 1956, he served in the Army’s 4th Infantry Division stationed in Budigan, Germany and received an honorable discharge at Fort Lewis, Washington. He attended Skagit Valley College and received a practical nursing license in 1958 from the Northern State Hospital campus and worked there for several years, but he is perhaps best known for working at Bus Jungquist Furniture for thirty one years working for Bus and Craig Jungquist whom he considered wonderful people to work for.
In 1959, he married Marjean Harrsch at the First Methodist Church in Spokane and three children were born to that union, Jody Burke, Margo Burke and Alan Burke.
Larry was a charter member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Sedro-Woolley, past member of the Jaycees, Mount Baker Pigeon Flying Club, Skagit Valley Dahlia Club and presently enjoyed the fellowship of the Skagit Good Sams. He enjoyed fishing and making fishing lures, fantasy football, raising dahlias and all flowers, camping in the RV, playing pinochle, and tinkering.
Larry was preceded in death by his step father, George Meins, his father William Burke, and a brother Gene Bixby.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marjean, his mother Cleo Meins, and his children, Jody and his wife Judy, Margo, and Alan and his grandchildren, Tyler Burke, Katie Burke and their mother Evelyn Grimm, Taylor Burke, Jordan Burke, and MacKenzie Burke. Larry was a loving and supportive son, husband, father, and grandfather. The family would like to thank the staff at North Puget Oncology at United General Hospital and the staff at Skagit Hospice, Roberta, Christy, and Amy.
Memorial Services will be Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Central United Methodist Church in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Marilyn Kallshian officiating. A reception will follow the services at the church. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.