December 13, 1923 – Jimmye Burke passed on the evening of March 18, 2025. It was a peaceful, painless, passing in Dana Point, California. She was one hundred and one years old. She is survived by three sons, daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a sister.

Jimmye Burke was born on December thirteenth in the year of nineteen twenty-three. Her given name was Myrtle, Dorothy, Sallie Mae Winkler. Upon her arrival, her father Oscar Winkler, looked at her and said, “She looks like Jimmye,” who was a Texas Ranger friend of his. That name stuck and she was known as Jimmye forevermore. That unique name suited her well.

She was one of a kind. Her vivacious, energetic manner fueled her appetite for life. A force of nature, here to live life to the fullest and boy did she ever.

Her upbringing in the small Central Texas town of Giddings gave her the values and skills she would carry throughout life. Those of faith, family and hard work! She and her four sisters and many cousins shared a life together laughing, loving and of course working hard. Clara, their mother ran the house with an iron spoon. She was a fantastic cook and all of her girls were taught to cook, bake, can goods and to feed their loved ones with copious amounts of food. Most all of that food came from the garden or the farm, it truly was farm to table. Later in life, Jimmye hosted lavish dinners for oil dignitaries from around the world.

German and English were spoken in the Winkler house and the adults often spoke German at family gatherings. Always a lot of laughter, good food, dominoes, card games and joy at these gatherings.

It was at a dance in Bastrop, Texas where she met Ray Burke. They had a romance that included some very serious screenings of Ray from her father Oscar. Picking her up for a date would sometimes involve an hour or more of a card game called Skat or Scotty with him. Skat was Oscar’s favorite card game and no doubt was also a good opportunity to assuage the character of the young man courting his daughter.

Ray and Jimmye fell in love. Ray enrolled in the service during WWII and was a Lieutenant in the Navy. He became a Naval Aviator and flew in the Pacific Theatre. During his deployment Jimmye took a three-day train ride to Wildwood, New Jersey where they were married in a small ceremony. After a brief honeymoon Ray returned back to the Pacific for continued war efforts and Jimmye returned home to Texas.

She also attended the University of Texas in Austin and received her teaching certificate. Young Jimmye taught grade school in a little country school where kids would bring her gifts like a live snake they’d caught on the way to school. She took it all in stride.

where they lived in Corpus Christi, Texas. That is where their adventures really began for the two of them. They had their first child Rodney who was born in Brenham Texas. Then came Robert who was born in New Orleans and finally Glenn was born in Houston, Texas.

The Burke family was on the move and next landed in Midland, Texas, After a successful time there, Ray was transferred to Union Oil’s home office in Los Angeles, California. The family settled in Arcadia in 1961.

Jimmye’s favorite time was raising three boys in Arcadia, being part of a vibrant social community as well as the business events, dinners and galas. Jimmye shined with elegance, and style. She had a charming southern grace that was all her own.

Jimmye was an avid reader and instilled a love for reading in her children. In the summers there were weekly trips to the library. She had us take “cotillion” classes to learn civilities and dance. We took piano lessons and Rod took accordion lessons. She drove us to baseball and other sports practices and games. It was always an adventure when she drove. She had two speeds, floor it or brake hard. But she always got us there. She was a Boy Scout den mother, never missed a recital or performance at school. and was even active in the mother’s club of the Fiji house at USC.

Jimmye volunteered at church, school and for years at the Assistance League. She was generous with her time and resources.

Jimmye loved playing games and was a fierce competitor in card games and dominoes but her favorite was Bridge. In her late years she was a force in Bingo, only playing with cards that had the number thirteen on them because of her birthday. She won a lot.

First and foremost she was a partner to Ray and a loving mother to her children. She was the rock for us all to stand on. She made the most of her life, living with zeal, faith, passion and joy. If there was a dance to dance, a song to sing, a prayer to pray, a chore to do, a child to tend, she was there with a smile and grace.

Jimmye and Ray traveled the world meeting dignitaries, leaders, kings and queens. Behind every successful man is a woman who worked harder. That was Jimmye.

This brave little girl from Texas lived a very, very big life. She is with her loved one’s in heaven now, I can hear them laughing.

RIP

There will be a memorial service held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Dana Point on April 4th at 11:00am with a reception to follow at the church at noon.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in honor of Jimmye & Ray Burke to

Concordia University Texas
11400 Concordia University Dr.
Austin, TX 78726

512-313-5101

https://www.concordia.edu/giving/ways-to-give.html