Gary Allen Burke, 77, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. entered eternal rest in the early morning of December 5th 2025. Gary was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed by many people.
Born April 23, 1948 in Hemet California to the late Roy and Gwen Burke. Gary had the great fortune to be raised in a loving home with four siblings. With a passion for art, Gary earned a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Oregon. A year into studies, Gary left the institute to gain favor with Senior Master Sergeant Jerry Martin, the father of Air Force Brat Nancy Martin, and win her hand in marriage. Fresh out of bootcamp Gary and Nancy wed on May 3, 1968. The two of them stayed true to their affections for each other, truly devoted best friends and inseparable companions for 57 years of marriage.
Gary was always industrious from youth, he was a paperboy, boyscout, baseball player, and junior high homecoming King. In the Marines he was trained in drafting and surveying. A prison guard at San Quentin’s Women’s Prison. A draftsman at El Dorado RV, where he was awarded draftsman of the year for designing the first cab over sleeper. Owner/Operator of the cowboy themed Chuckwagon Drive In, West Plains Missouri. Gary had Burke Ave. named after him for his work on surveying the Wayhaven Development. Worked at Northrop an Aerospace Industry. Owned West Plains Furnace where he manufactured Wood Furnaces and cut his teeth in the HVAC industry. When he sold the business to Current Electric, he came on board to run their newly acquired HVAC department. Gary made his final career move to Buffington Brothers of Popular Bluff, Mo. where he designed systems, bid jobs and managed crews for nearly 20 years. Gary retired at the age of 75, as he remained industrious his whole life. When he was not at work, Gary and Nancy enjoyed each other’s company in their favorite pass time of remodeling rentals.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Nancy, his six of seven children Marty and Michelle Burke, Jamie Burke-Bellamy, Joshua and Jennifer Burke, Matthew Burke, Ruth and Shane Waggoner and Rebekah Burke, fifteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two sisters Pam and Tom Brito, and Sharon Schureman. Gary is preceded in death by his loving parents Roy and Gwen Burke, two brothers Monte Burke and Chad Burke, his beloved son Noah Burke and one sweet grandchild Jackson Waggoner.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.
Visitation will be held from1:00 to 2:00 p.m. before services begins.
Burial will be held at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri under the direction of Carter Funeral Home Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
