Jim was born March 22, 1934 to Arthur and Edna Burke in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in Kansas City, graduating from Rockhurst High School. After high school, he married the love his life, Joyce Harness, on August 1, 1953 in Kansas City, Missouri.
He spent 60 years in several avenues of carpentry, home building, trim work, furniture making, cabinet making, woodcraft and wood carving. Jim had a passion for the quality of his work and making people happy with his results. Following retirement, Jim and Joyce owned and operated an RV park in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where they also created a wood craft business, JB Wood Products. They traveled to hundreds of crafts shows selling both retail and wholesale. Jim's was most proud of his hardwood boxes, one of his passions for many years.
Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church of Peculiar. The legacy Jim leaves behind is that of hard work, constantly helping others and love for his family.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; sons: Rusty and Mike; brother, Bob; sisters: Katherine, Shirley, and Glennie. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce; son, Kenny (Lynn); his daughter, Debbie (Steve); grandchildren: Michael, Jeff, Hannah, Jason, and Kristin; 8 great-grandchildren; and sisters; Helen and Mary.
