Joseph Leonard Burke, Jr.
June 7, 1932 – April 15, 2020
Joe was born in Quincy, Florida and was the son of the late Joseph L. Burke Sr and Jessie Maye Bourn. He was preceded in death by his spouse Marda T. Burke in 2015 and sister, Annette.
Joe served our country as a Korean Air Force Veteran of the 5th Air Force. He was an executive for Hertz and National Car Rental, later moving to the North Georgia Mountains, where he became a private business owner of Burke’s Country Store in Hollywood Georgia and a U.S. Postmaster, butcher, farmer, beekeeper, and entrepreneur of many trades. After 15 years, he became a local realtor, then later a craftsman with his wife Marda and manufactured furniture for many years. In his later years, he worked as a butcher at Ingles in Clarkesville, Georgia, retiring after 10 years, at the age of 82. Joe was a long-time member and Deacon of Hollywood Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time with his family, participating with church functions, fishing and golfing.
Joe is survived by his daughters and sons-in-laws, Von and Chuck Stephens of Cleveland, Georgia and Tracy and Owen Krueger of Seattle, Washington; sons and daughter-in-law, Steve Burke of Pelham, Alabama, Skip and Tina Burke of Flowery Branch, Georgia; six grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and numerous others that all knew and loved him as “Grandpa”.
Virtual Celebration of Life service date TBD. Considering the shelter in place mandate, there will be a fellowship dinner in memory of Joe at Hollywood Baptist Church at the point church resumes. In lieu of flowers, Joe’s wishes were that donations be made and mailed to Hollywood Baptist Church: 208 Hollywood Church Rd, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Wilkinson Center, Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and to the many individual caregivers for the amazing care provided in recent months.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.habershamcrematory.com.
Habersham Crematory (678-617-2210) of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.
