Services for James Morrison Burke, 89, of Coldspring, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Onalaska Baptist Church in Onalaska, Texas and will be officiated by Bro. Allen Bramlett and Bro. Mike Minter. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2023 at the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Onalaska, Texas.

James was the only male and youngest of his siblings, Genevieve, Virginia Lee, who died as a teen, Ruth & Martha. He was born in Jacksonville, Texas on May 29, 1933. He was very close to his family and committed as a Christian who believed in humbly serving people.

Because he suffered from asthma as a child, he had to take off from school one year and during that time, his mother taught him how to sew and cook, which became useful later in life as he taught his wife, Mellie those same skills.

James Morrison Burke spent over 40 years in education. He began college at Sam Houston State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and then went on to complete his master's degree in education at Sam as well. He also continued furthering his scholarship to become certified as a school administrator at The University of Houston Main Campus.

He began his career working for the Houston Independent School District as a teacher for approximately 22 years. Following that, he served almost 20 years working for Klein Independent School District. There he served at Strack Intermediate as an assistant principal for the majority of that time. After retirement as an administrator, he completed his career in education working as a teacher for Northland Christian Academy. Students and faculty described him as an amazingly kind and thoughtful individual who was willing to go above and beyond to assist anyone who needed help.

He later retired on Lake Livingston where he spent the rest of his life with Mellie enjoying the tall piney woods of East Texas; and making frequent trips on the lake in his pontoon boat he used to water ski and also loved his wave runners.

James, also known as Jim by those closest to him, was truly a master of all trades. He was very skilled as a carpenter and all things mechanical and technical. Working with his hands and learning to be a true "Do it yourself" man was very important to him. Jim even built a Lake House along with a ski boat at Lake Jacksonville; and even made the cradle which was used for his children when they were babies.

He was an incredibly devoted husband for 60 years. He married on December 29, 1962, in a small Methodist church in Burke, Texas. With his wife Mellie, they weathered the storms of a long marriage with so much grace and love. James was a beloved father and is survived by his wife, Mellie Ann Burke of Coldspring; children, 2 sons, James, John and one daughter, Lisa; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

On January 29, 2023, he passed peacefully at Chi St. Luke's Memorial Hospital in Livingston Texas to be with our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .