Jim was born in Chicago, IL to the late John and Annie Burke, where he also attended DePaul University. He was a World War II combat veteran of the 8th Army Air Corp successfully completing 35 missions over Europe as a tail gunner on a B-17. For most of his professional life, he was a salesman for Fruit of the Loom Underwear where he proudly "covered the asses of the masses" for three decades. Throughout his life, he maintained a deep Catholic faith, best exhibited by over 20 years as the Cantor for St. Sebastian Church.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Lauretta Mary Burke and his nine children (arguably more if Oldsmobile had a model larger than the Vista Cruiser.) James F. Burke Jr. of Bath, OH; John and Cindy Burke of Wyomissing, PA; Mary Beth and Michael McDonald of Lititz, PA; Laurie and Stan Hironaka of Moraga, CA; Peg and Steve Zimmer of Copley, OH; Daniel and Anne Burke of Spring, TX; William and Julie Burke of Medina, OH; Maureen and John Muldoon of Newbury Park, CA; Bridget and Vince Beringer of Cranberry Twp., PA; as well as his 23 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter-in-law Karan Burke and his siblings Florence Huyer, Mary Murphy and John J. Burke, Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 17, 2012, at 11 AM at St. Hilary Church, 2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, OH. Private interment in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Friends may call the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St., Akron on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 4 – 7 PM. in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Archbishop Hoban High School, The Burke Family Scholarship Fund, 1 Holy Cross Blvd. Akron, Ohio 44306.