BURKE, Patrick Thomas "Pat" - b. November 15, 1926 - d. January 5, 2013

[patyrn]

Patrick Thomas Burke passed away on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at his home in Fall River, Kansas.  Pat was born November 15, 1926 near Climax, Kansas, the son of John and Muriell (Munday) Burke.

Pat spent his life doing what he knew best, farming and ranching, but what he loved most was competing Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding in the Rodeo Cowboy Association.  Pat's rodeo career started as a young teenager in 1956 in Phillipsburg, Kansas at the Kansas Biggest Rodeo.  He won the championship riding on "Jesse James".  He traveled hundreds of miles to rodeos all over the country with his friends.  He was a member of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.  E.C. Roberts, a rodeo stock contractor, once named a bucking horse "Pat Burke" after his friend and fellow rodeo lover.

Pat was united in marriage to Janet Gipe Shinkle on December 27, 1983 in Miami, Oklahoma.  They made their home north of Severy, Kansas until 2004 when they moved to Fall River, Kansas.  Over the years, Pat had been employed at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas and delivered materials for A-Lert Construction.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and horseback riding while gathering cattle with his stepdaughter, Kaila.  His all-time favorite was his herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle.

Pat is survived by his wife, Janet Burke of Fall River, Kansas; one brother, Mike Burke of Severy, Kansas; three daughters, Jackie and Phil Martinie of Altamont, Kansas, Kristy and Chuck Bever of Wamego, Kansas, and Shelley and Mike LeValley of Manhattan, Kansas; two stepsons, Cary and Marla Shinkle and Randy and Sandy Shinkle, all of Fall River, Kansas; two stepdaughters, Jeane and Kenny Tharp and Kaila Brock, all of Fredonia, Kansas; grandchildren, Michael and Sandra Martinie, Brandon and Sarah Martinie, Arden and Chantel Martinie, Clint and Katie Bever, Andrea (Bever) and Jonathan Spikes, Burke LeValley, John LeValley, Max LeValley, James Shinkle, Skyler Shinkle, Melissa (Shinkle) and Casey Liddle, Debbie (Shinkle) and Jon Wooten, Zac Shinkle, Kory and Georgia Tharp, Britni (Tharp) and Jordan Stewart, Brandi (Tharp) and Jay Dee Laverty, and Blake Brock; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9. 2013 at Timmons Funeral Home Chapel in Fredonia, Kansas with Rev. Gene Benefiel of the Buxton Christian Church officiating.  Burial will be in the Weakley Cemetery near New Albany, Kansas.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, January 8, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Timmons Funeral Home.  Memorials have been established in Pat's name with Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and Fredonia Old Iron Club, and contributions may be sent to or left at the funeral home.  Words of condolence for the family may be left at www.timmonsfuneralhome.com.

Timmons Funeral Home, 510 N. 7th, Fredonia, Kansas 66736 is in charge of arrangements.

(taken from the Timmons Funeral Home website)