Eugene John Burke, 89, of Seymour, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025. Born on April 6, 1936, in New York, New York, Eugene lived a life marked by kindness, dedication to family, and a willingness to serve others.
He was the beloved husband of June Burke and a devoted father to his daughters, Dawn Burke Colvin and Deborah Burke. Eugene was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond James Burke, Sr., and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Eugene worked as an educator in the automotive industry for over 30 years, sharing his knowledge and shaping countless careers. Outside of his professional life, he enjoyed home improvement projects and cherished time spent with family and friends.
Eugene became a mason in the late 1980's in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He was a member of the Charles Durant Lodge, serving as Master in 1997. After retiring, he moved to Tennessee and joined the New Providence Lodge in Maryville, where he was Secretary for many years, serving as Master in 2025. He was a Knight York Cross of Honor of Tennessee Priory and a past presiding officer of the Maryville York Rite Bodies.
A celebration of life will be held on December 1, 2025, 5:00-6:00pm at Smith Funeral and Cremation Services in Maryville, Tennessee. Friends and family are invited to gather and honor Eugene's memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Forever in our hearts.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1402 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

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