Charles McKean Burke

Charles Burke passed away in Cheyenne on May 9, 2024.   Charles “Chuck” was born November 11, 1936 in Longmont, Colorado to Victor and Marion Burke.  

He graduated from Boulder High School (1954), from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley with a Bachelor’s Degree (1959) and with a Master’s Degree (1962).  He met his wife Julia while attending UNC (then Colorado State College of Education), at Jeans and Janes Square Dance Club. Their love for square dancing continued over their 65 years of marriage. 

In High School he was active in 4-H, music, and drama, winning an award for commitment.  He was a teacher in Pueblo CO, Boulder CO, Indianapolis IN, and Cheyenne WY.   He helped plan and develop the new industrial technology program at Shortridge HS in Indianapolis. He moved to Cheyenne to be the Industrial Arts Supervisor at the State Department of Education.  His love of teaching drew him back to McCormick Jr. High and Cheyenne Central High School.  He ended his teaching career teaching cabinet making at Laramie County Community College.  He enjoyed this experience a lot, since most of the students wanted to be there, and his biggest problem was getting them to stop working on their project and go home after the evening class.

He owned and ran a small woodshop business called Winddragon Woodworks. He was happy to be a woodworker and woodturner. He spent a lot of his time volunteering and participating in community organizations.   He won the 1977 American Industrial Arts Association Certificate of Honor as an Outstanding Teacher, and the 1984-86 the Technology Education Association Award in recognition and appreciation for Outstanding Leadership and Service.  He kept very busy and happy while enjoying participating in such adventures as the District 2 Fire District Board, WY Commissioner for Clan Donald for a few years, sorting books and helping at the Delta Kappa Gamma book sale for 38 years, to mention a few.  He also escorted 9 overseas and two Wyoming trips. 

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Marian Burke; his son, Dwite; brother Ralph and wife, Verna Burke; sisters in-law   Mary Lou and Charlotte Burke; father-in- law Jesse Murfin,  and mother-in-law Welcome Murfin.  

Surviving Charles is his wife of 65 years, Julia; son Brian and his wife Jenny, grandchildren Alec and his wife Jordan; and his extended family Lionel and Sheri Kelley, and their children Nathan and wife Nicole, Bethany, and Spencer.

A celebration of life will be held May 16, 10:30 AM, First Presbyterian Church, 220 W. 22^nd.  Donations may be made to the Paul Smith Cheyenne Children’s Village at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens or Scout Troop 116, at the First Presbyterian Church.