Thomas Edward Burke

Thomas Edward Burke, has gone to live with his Heavenly Father. He departed on July 23, 2018. He was born August 12, 1948 in Pocatello, Idaho to James Ova and Tressa Virginia Barrett. In 1950, his father passed away. His mother later married Russell Frank Davis, who with his mother raised him. Thomas was the last of four children. Thomas grew up in the area called Blackrock, located about 5 miles south of Pocatello.

Thomas graduated from Pocatello High School. He attended Idaho State Trade and Technical School, enrolling in the Electronic Program. In 1968, Thomas spent time in the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Alaska, Thailand, Spain, Azores, and many other areas, both in the U.S. and overseas. He logged over 5,000 hours of flying time. In 1979, Thomas left the Navy and gained employment with J.R. Simplot. He worked at Conda mine in Soda Springs and the smoky Canyon min in Afton, Wyoming. In 1999, he was promoted to min supervisor and moved to Overton, Nevada to work at the Simplot Silica mine.

Thomas married Mary Hacking in 1969. They were later divorced. Thomas married his best friend and the love of his life, Verda Feld on February 13, 1988. They moved to Afton to start their life together. Thomas enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, traveling, fishing, riding his motorcycle, riding 4 wheelers, playing scrabble and solitaire on the computer, working in his garden and yard, building things in his shop and visiting with family. He loved spending time with children and grandchildren.

After he retired from Simplot, Tom and his wife decided to sell their home and buy a motor home. He spent many wonderful years traveling with his wife across the lower 48 and also to Alaska, Canada and Mexico in their motor home. Tom's favorite saying was "Home is where you park it." In 2008, due to health problems, he returned to Pocatello and purchased a home where they could be closer to family and friends. During the winter months they drove their motor home south to Yuma, Arizona.

Thomas is survived by; his wife and best friend, Verda; two children, Christopher and Patricia; granddaughter Nichole (Terry) Lewis of Idaho Falls; 3 great grandchildren, Aileen, Meika and Leta; four step children, Ken (Stephanie) Feld, grandchildren, Shelby, and Russell Feld of Aberdeen, Christina (Earnie) Parten, of Farmington, MN, Paul Feld (Justin) of Las Vegas, Brenda (Curt) Fehringer, grandchildren, Cameron, Chantel (Cody) Huckvale, Chambray and Caden Fehringer, of American Falls; two sisters, Revella Pratt of Rigby, Roberta Payne of Inkom; one brother James (Carolyn) Burke, Rock Port, TX He was preceded in death by his parents and stop father.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made in his name to Friends of the Pocatello Animal Shelter P.O. Box 281 Pocatello, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Wilks Funeral Home 211 W. Chubbuck Road. Inurnment will take place in the Falls View Cemetery in American Falls, Idaho.

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