Glen Burke, a resident of Durant, Okla., left this earthly life on February 13, 2022, at the age of 90. He was born January 1, 1932, in Perry Oklahoma to Lester and Bernice Burke.
Glen attended Oklahoma Military Academy, graduating in 1953. He attended Tulsa University and Oklahoma A&M, now Oklahoma State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Glen moved to Durant in 1958. He became General Manager of KSEO. At the time, he was married to Margaret Plumer and they had three boys, Jim, John and Robert.
He is past president of Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. His love of acting culminated in a career in which he was in many plays and commercials, one of his commercials was for Bennigan’s restaurant in Dallas, Texas where he portrayed Walter Winchell. Glen served in the U.S. Army Reserve for many years and retired with the rank of full Colonel. Glen was named Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma Military Academy in 2002. He always loved the Academy, attending reunions for many years.
Glen married Sue Carpenter in 1987, they are members of the First United Methodist church in Durant, where they were active. Glen was lay leader for several years. They served at the Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown, Okla., encouraging prisoners to lead a better life. He taught photography in his retirement years at SOSU as Adjunct Professor. Glen served in many Civic duties, past president of the Durant Lions club, member of the Chamber of Commerce, member of Durant and Bryan County Industrial Authority.
Mr. Burke is survived by his sons, James Burke and wife Patti of Taiwan, John Burke and wife Melinda of Towson, Maryland and Robert Burke of Midwest City, Okla.
A graveside service to honor his life was held on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 at the Highland Cemetery Pavilion with Dr. John Breon officiating. His honorary pallbearers will be Harold Harmon, Jim Harmon, Ron Langston, and the Oklahoma Military Academy class of 1953.
Services are under the direction of Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth in Durant, Okla.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com
