John R. Burke
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, John R. Burke loving husband and father of four, passed away at the age of 72. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Winston L. Burke; mother, Jayne Probst; brothers, Robert (Bob) and William (Bill Burke; and daughter, Brittany Layne Burke. He is survived by his wife, Martha Diana (Marti) Burke; his daughters, Amberly Warnke and Courtney Floyd; his son, Stephen; three grandchildren, Oliver, Shealee, and Ridley; his sister Jan Steele; and three nieces and a nephew. John was a graduate of Lexington Catholic High School and the University of Kentucky with a BBA in Personnel Management and an MBA in Corporate Finance. He was a Staff Sargent in the Army Reserve serving as Drill Instructor and Tank Commander. John’s 31 year career with Kentucky Utilities progressed from Ground Man, to Lineman, to Management, followed by 14 years providing consulting services to major water, gas and electric utilities throughout North America on Advanced Metering Systems. A strong believer in community service, John served as President of the Carlisle/Nicholas Co. Chamber of Commerce, the Versailles/Woodford Co. Chamber of Commerce, and the Woodford Co. Red Cross Chapter. He served on the Woodford Co Industrial Authority as Director, the Nicholas Co Industrial Authority, Bluegrass Tomorrow. and the Colony Neighborhood Association. An avid Sportsman and hunter John was a 60 + year member of the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League serving as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director. He founded the Blue Grass Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and, as a result, had the honor to watch the first Elk step foot in Kentucky after being extinct for 150 years. He loved horseback riding, Elk, Mule Deer, and Antelope hunting in Colorado and Wyoming; Pheasant hunting in Iowa; and Deer, Dove, Quail, Duck and Goose hunting in Kentucky. Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of life which will be held Sunday, February 5th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Malone's Prime Events & Receptions, 3373 Tate’s Creek Road, Lexington, KY. Kerr Brothers – Harrodsburg Road is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be in the Bluegrass Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UK Markey Cancer Center.