Gary W. Burke

Gary Wayne Burke or “GW” was born on July 20, 1942 in Parsons, Kansas to Edward Warren Burke and Ruth Elaine (Mistler) Burke.  After spending a few years in Kansas his family moved to Midland, Oregon to be with the grandparents while all the men in the family went away to fight in World War 2.  Gary was able to grow up with his brother Ed and his double cousins John and Ron Mistler helping to run their grandparent’s country store.  He really loved his life there with his grandparents and living in the country and helping with the country store.  Upon an illness with his mother the family moved to the Dalles, Oregon where sadly he was preceded in death by his beloved Mother Ruth.

He then moved back to Kansas and lived with his Aunt Tillie and Uncle Oscar Harrison working their farm.  After graduating high school from Paseo High School in June of 1960 he moved to California.  He took a job at the Fox Movie Theater on K Street Mall where he met his future wife Rosemarie Carroll at the caramel corn shop that was connected to the theater.  They were married on June 15, 1963, and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage this June.

Gary took up his love of auto racing and won many races as an amateur during the 60’s.  After quitting racing he and Rosemarie opened up an Antique shop in Carmichael, California and eventually got into Real Estate.  He and Rosemarie opened up their own office in the 1980’s and Gary worked as an agent up until a few years before his passing.

Gary and Rosemarie loved car events and loved going to their home in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where Gary had many wonderful fishing excursions.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Rosemarie and his daughter Kelly McBride as well as her daughters Kathryn McBride and Shelby McBride.

He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Burke father Ed Burke, brother Ed Burke Jr. and many other beloved aunts, uncles and grandparents.

We will miss him terribly!!