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Paul Burke Obituary
Bud was born on January 4, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri to Paul and Virginia Burke. Bud was an avid Jayhawk and life-long devoted Kansan. He graduated from Shawnee Mission High School in 1952 and from the University of Kansas in 1956 earning letters in tennis and swimming.
Bud served the State of Kansas as President of the Senate from 1989-1997 and as Majority Leader from 1985-1988. He served in numerous national governmental leadership positions including, President of the National Conference of State Legislatures and he was appointed by President Bush to the United States Trade Commission Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee.
Bud served his country as a United States Air force fighter pilot, and later as a carrier trained navy aviator in the United States Navy Reserves retiring as a Captain.
Bud served his alma mater, the University of Kansas, in many different capacities, most recently as a member of the National Board of Directors for the KU Alumni Association.
Bud was a business owner- the owner of WebbCo, Inc. a Kansas City, Missouri Industrial and Engineering equipment company until he sold the business in 1986. He was Senior Vice President of and investment banker at Ranson Capital Corporation from 1986-1994 and President and Owner of Issues Management Group, Inc. a governmental and public affairs organization from 1996 until he retired.
Bud is survived by his wife, Debbie, his sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Kane, four daughters – Anne Burke (and husband, Dee), Kelly Barnett (and husband, Marc), Cathy Rhodes (and husband Rocky), and Jenny Roth (and husband, Cameron). He is Grandpa to 15 grandchildren, 3 great granddaughters and a fourth great granddaughter on the way.
Bud and Debbie loved to travel. And travel, they did- all over the world. Bud loved his family, his Jayhawks, his state and his country. He was a statesman, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a fearless fighter pilot and our hero.
Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Church, Lawrence, Ks., KU Endowment Association and the Compassionate Care Hospice - all c/o Warren McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044. Memorial services will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 22 at 1:00 at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, Kansas. We will celebrate his life at the KU Alumni Association after the ceremony.
Bud's limitless energy, joy for life, love of family, and his stories (sometimes embellished) will be missed.
Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Burke
September 23, 2017
I WAS SORRY TO HEAR OF BUD'S PASSING....CAN ONLY THANK HIM FOR SAVING MY LIFE, CIRCA 1944
Bill Curtis , AUSTIN, TX
Pat
August 27, 2017
I am truly sorry for your loss. May you take comfort in God by praying to Him with all your heart.
Marcia Rinehart
August 24, 2017
I send my sincere sympathy to Bud's family upon his passing. He was an effective and kind leader in Kansas state politics. My husband and I had the pleasure of getting to spend time with Bud when he joined the Leawood delegation to Taiwan when the City established its sister-city relationship with I-Lan. Good memories!
Sincerely, Marcia Rinehart
Harland Priddle
August 22, 2017
I was saddened to learn of Bud's passing. He was a great friend and one of Kansas' great servants. May God Bless Debbie and all of the family of Bud.
Joe H. Vaughn
August 22, 2017
I was saddened to learn of Bud's death. I was aware that he had been in declining health. He was a significant leader in many roles in the Kansas legislature over his years of service. I also knew Bud very well for many years in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, both at KU and the Greater Kansas City Alumni Association. This is a public servant who will be missed.
Beverly Londerholm
August 22, 2017
Beverly Londerholm, My love & many blessings to all the family. So happy he is in his joy with our Great Lord.
Dave Mattern
August 22, 2017
Deb and family - my sincerest condolences.
Kelvin White
August 21, 2017
My sincerest condolences to the family for your loss. I pray that you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phillipians 4:6,7)
John Heizer
August 20, 2017
I served with Captain Burke in the Naval Reserve at NAS Olathe, KS. He was a great peron, friend and leader.
August 20, 2017
A great man who raised great family. Fond memories from his presiding over Nick & Erin's wedding.
Rest in Peace Bud,
Lynn and Greg Welle
Kevin Corbett
August 20, 2017
Bud Burke was one the finest men that I have ever known. Fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to be in his presence for many years.
Robert Stephan
August 19, 2017
Bud was like a brother to me. He was kind to everyone. No one could have had a more outstanding life. Debbie was his constant companion and to the very end made his life a happy one.
Carolyn Bloom
August 19, 2017
I first met Mr Burke when he served honorably for many years as president of the Kansas Senate. He was always very encompassing, open and honest in balancing issues on both sides especially in the area of Health Care. Later I was pleased to sit on the same side of the lobbying table with him when he represented the Kansas Physical Therapy Association. Mr. Burke is an exemplary role model for all citizens, people, family members and legislative and Congressional leaders of this country. He will be missed very much but everyone who has ever met him is honored to have had that pleasure,
JOHN OLSEN
August 19, 2017
I was the caretaker at Lakeview when you were members. Always a pleasure to see you both there. God gained a wonderful man.
Gene Dikeman
August 19, 2017
Our country really needs leadership like Bud provided through this life. His love for Kansas and our country came only second to family and friends. Bud always had skin in the game, in his words. Serving our country he flew the A6 off the aircraft carrier American - in Kansas he worked hard to find common ground as President of the Kansas Senate. His efforts are still felt today. It was always fun to visit with Bud as he was always so well read and connected with current life. Bud will be missed, I just hope someone finds his manuel on skin in the game and shares it!
Mary Montgomery
August 19, 2017
Debbie I am so sorry to here about Bud's
passing he was such a lovely person.Will be missed by many
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Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services - Lawrence Chapel120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
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