Cecil B Burke

Cecil was born August 16, 1928, in Enid, Oklahoma to Lyman A. and Minnie Calcote Burke. He graduated from Amarillo High School; then later graduated from an Amarillo business school. He then moved to Glendale, California and studied aircraft mechanics at Cal Aero. Cecil's father needed help with the family trucking business, so rather than pursue work in the aircraft field, he drove trucks for his Dad.

After moving back to Amarillo, Cecil married his best friend's sister, Billie Wade, December 20, 1952. Cecil always told the story that he married Billie for her cherry nut cakes - but after they got married, she quit baking them. Cecil bragged about "Susie's" cooking skills quite often. It could be said that Cecil was spoiled by homemade cooking, including cakes, pies, and ice cream (strawberry was his favorite). Cecil and Billie (Susie) were blessed with the birth of 2 daughters, Cheri and Kari. Cecil was proud of his girls and his family; always saying and doing things to convey how proud he was. A constant term of endearment was the word "Babe" which he used for his wife, daughters and granddaughters.

Cecil loved to talk and recall stories of his life, reminiscing and always making people laugh. His memory remained keen and he was able to include details, including dates of the tales he shared. He was definitely a big prankster. You never knew what to expect from him; maybe filling a bathtub with balloons or dressing up as a werewolf. Cecil was loved and respected by everyone who met him.

Cecil was employed at Seymour Bearing Company for 6 years and later worked at Bell Helicopter. He began his career at Bell as a buyer, and later became a Purchasing Agent. 18 years later, Cecil retired from Bell Helicopter. Throughout his life, Cecil exhibited strong work ethics which he instilled in his girls.

A favorite past-time during retirement was going to garage sales and flea markets. He also enjoyed taking his beloved "Susie" on cruises and they were fortunate to cruise many times. He was known to have the ability to carry on intelligent conversations with anyone about anything.

A scripture that became special to Cecil was 2 Peter 1:14-15: For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

Those Left to Cherish Memories of Cecil

Wife: Billie, of Amarillo.

Daughters: Cheri Griffith, of Amarillo, and husband Johnny; Kari Garcia, of Tyler, TX, and husband Roland.

Brother: Jimmy Don Burke, of Corpus Christi, TX

Grandchildren: Jada and husband Ben, of Amarillo; Brittany and husband Chad, of San Antonio; Terrell Slocum, of Amarillo; Christopher and wife Gladis, of

Point Blank, TX, and Montana and husband Misa, of Tyler, TX.

Great Grandchildren: 13

Great-Great Grandchildren:1

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents Lyman A. Burke and Minnie Seymour, and his sister Rosalyn Ramsey.