James "David" Burke

James "David" Burke, passed away on August 30, 2025, at the age of 52, in his hometown of Evansville, IN. Born on March 2, 1973, to Francis and Thomas Burke, David's life was one rich with music, adventure, and a deep love for his family. He is survived by his children, Chase Burke and Natasha White (Jamison and his family), who were his reasons for fighting. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Francis Burke; his father, Thomas Burke; his sister, Janet Burke; his brother, Kenneth Burke; the memory of his late brother, Wayne Burke; his special cousin, Brenda Shimabuku brings a dream come true for him in the final journey to Hawaii; several nephews also survive him. David's faithful dog, Whiskey, was his constant companion and brought comfort and joy to his life.

David made his career as a forklift driver at Toyota, and served his community as a volunteer firefighter.

A man who communicated best through melody, David had a song for every moment. Whether it was "I Love the Way You Loved Me" or "When You Say Nothin' at All," he used music to express emotions that words alone couldn't capture. His love for the outdoors was evident in his passion for fishing, or as he would say, "rippin' lips," and hunting. His times with his children doing those things were among his fondest memories, and held "Just Fishin'" as his anthem for being with his kids doing them. He lived life on his terms most of his life, seeking new escapades and cherishing the memories of cliff jumping in the stripper pits and the camaraderie of karaoke nights with his buddies, singin' Hank, Jr. being a favorite.

David's life was not without its challenges, and in his last weeks, he faced them with an honesty that was as heartbreaking as it was brave. He openly acknowledged the pain he caused, particularly to his children, and for this, he carried deep sorrow and regret. David's journey to sobriety was solely the determination to make amends to them. While sitting in the sun, reflecting on his time being sober and seeing the support he had, in his own words, "I didn't know life could be like this, that I could feel love like this." "Being sober is the best gift." "I wish I could take it all back, do it over. All I can do now is keep fightin' every day," and his favorite phrase in his healing before he could even make it to rehab "One step at a time." He clung to his dreams of reconciliation through pain and fear, with the dream of finding peace and hope on the other side.

As a father, David's memories of his children stood as his most cherished ones. Although he could not always show his love as he wished, his heart held them close even in the darkness. The songs "Bleed Red" "I Loved Her First" "Holdin' My Own" and "That's My Job" resonate as a reflection of his innermost feelings for his family, and his hopes of repairing the past. He broke some of the bonds of the past, and hoped to break the one that mattered most in fighting his alcholism.

David's life was a tapestry of joy, sorrow, pain, music, and love. His memory will live on through the stories shared by his childhood friends, the laughter that filled the rooms they rocked out in, the quiet moments hunting and fishing, and the silent melodies that spoke volumes of the life he lived.