Charles Russell Burke

Charles (Charley) Russell Burke, aged 94, died April 24th, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. Charley was born in Orlando, Florida on June 22, 1929, and moved to Jacksonville with his parents, Joseph (Bill) Willis Burke and Mary Ella Stotler Burke in 1934.

Charley, along with his brothers, James (Jimmy) Willis Burke and Claude (Jeep) Stanton Burke, grew up on River Oaks Road in the San Marco community of Jacksonville, Florida. Upon graduating from Landon High School in 1947, Charley attended the University of Florida, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree of Engineering in 1952 and a Master’s Degree of Engineering in 1953. After serving his country in the United States Navy during the Korea Conflict, Charley returned to Jacksonville where he had a very successful career as a Civil Engineer with Reynolds, Smith and Hills. While at Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Charley played an integral role in the design of NASA’s mobile launch pad, first used during the Apollo missions of the 1960s. In addition to his work, Charley enjoyed reading, nature and conservation activities, including building Wood Duck nesting boxes overhanging the St. Johns, shrimping and crabbing off his dock, watching the bald eagles nest on his property, and tending to his orange grove and orchids. Late in life, his greatest joy was sharing his knowledge of nature and teaching his young great-great nieces and nephew lessons about nature, growing plants and area wildlife.

Charley is pre-deceased by his parents Bill and Mary Burke of Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his brothers, James W. (JoAnn) Burke and Claude S. (Audrey) Burke; nieces Vicki Burke (Bobby) Gillander, Pamela Burke (Rob) Kearney and nephews Jeffrey Willis (Vicki) Burke, Richard (Monica) Burke and Jeffrey Wade Burke; great-nephews Trip (Kristin) Gillander, R. Burke Kearney and James Kearney; great-nieces Casey Burke, Abbi Gillander, JoAnna (Daniel) Zvara, and great-great nieces Sophie Jo Gillander, Reagan Gillander, Olivia Gillander, Carli Rose Zvara, Burkie Zvara, Ella Zvara and great-great nephew Wells Zvara.

A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.