Dec. 24, 1952 –

Oct. 12, 2012

Mr. Danny Odell Burke Sr., 59, a long-time resident of Bainbridge, departed this life and went to experience the eternal glory of heaven on Oct. 12, 2012.

A celebration service commemorating Danny’s life will be held at Branchville Missionary Baptist Church, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. Danny will be laid to rest immediately thereafter at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in Colquitt, Ga.

Danny lived his life in light of the Godly counsel of Ecclesiastes 3, knowing that the earth is only a temporary home, but heaven is forever; that to everything there is a season, a time to be born, and a time to die, to pluck up that which is planted. He knew that life is a temporary assignment and dedicated his life to making sure that others knew that the end of the story is not here on earth. Danny lived his life showing his deep love for Christ by speaking it with his lips and through his selfless acts and sacrifice for others.

Danny was born Dec. 24, 1952, in Colquitt, to the late Lester and Rucell Burke. His brother, Steven, also preceded Danny in death.

He grew up on the family farm in Decatur County, near Eldorendo. It was there that he learned the love of God, love of family and the importance of serving others. He was the fifth child born into his family, which was comprised of six sons and two daughters.

He attended West Bainbridge Elementary School and graduated from Hutto High School in 1970. Danny graduated from Savannah State College in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting. While working on his bachelor’s degree, he met and married his wife, Vivian, of 33 years, who survives him. They were devoted parents of a son, Danny Odell Burke Jr. of Orlando, Fla., who survives him along with his wife, Felicia.

He is also survived by his loving siblings and several of their spouses: Lester Burke Jr. (Katie) of Bainbridge, Joyce Temple (Johnnie) of Warner Robins, Ga., Wilson Burke of Bainbridge, James Burke of Bainbridge, Terry Burke (Loretta) of Prairie View, Texas, Jacquelyn Burke of Atlanta, Ga., and a host of nieces and nephews.

Danny began his career working for the Internal Revenue Service. Later, he worked as a loan officer for Savannah Bank and Trust. For the past 20 years, Danny owned and operated Taxpert, a small business that specialized in computerized income tax preparation and electronic tax filing for individuals and businesses. During this same time, Danny was also a partner in Grant Development and Consulting for more than four years, after which he took full ownership the past four years.

He received his master of science degree in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2004.

During this time, he was also a very active member of Branchville M.B. Church, which he joined at an early age. His great joy was teaching Sunday school, which spans the last 21 years of his life. He served as chairman of the board of Newton Baptist Association, along with the dual role as the Bible Institute teacher and a life member of the East Baker Historical Society.

Danny was active in the Sons of Colquitt Lodge #580 for over 20 years. He served his community as a member of the board of directors of the Decatur County Department of Family and Children Services for more than five years and was a member of the board of directors that resurrected the United Way of Bainbridge and Decatur County in 2003. His favorite hobby was fishing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Danny’s name to Branchville M.B. Church, 555 Babcock Road, Colquitt, GA.