Roy Michael “Mike” Burk, 72, Inverness, FL, passed away December 8, 2017 in the Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center following a motorcycle accident. Mike was born in Lambert, MS on January 19, 1945 to the late Marshall and Christeen (Howell) Burk.
As a child, he picked cotton, loaded watermelon trucks, picked fruit, and did other farm labor. At the age of 17, he followed his spirit of adventure and joined the Air Force. Mike served as a loadmaster on large cargo aircraft for the majority of his career. Air Force service sent Mike (Stoney) to England, France, The Philippines, Vietnam and numerous stateside bases until his retirement at Dover AFB after almost 22 years.
Following retirement, Mike followed his passion for flying and held numerous jobs as a pilot. After a short time as a Florida State Correctional Officer, he was offered a dream job as pilot with the State of Florida’s Forestry Division. Mike served 10 years with the Lakeland and Withlacoochee districts and retired, once again in 2012. Wanting to remain active and having a love for animals, he volunteered at the Citrus County Animal Shelter. He had a love for motorcycles and rode throughout his life. His family describes him as passionate, committed, focused, fearless, funny, loyal, and a man with a deep love for his family. A Protestant, Mike was also a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory are his wife of 35 years, Christine Morehouse Burk; three children: Carine Burk Lankford and husband, Mike, of Milford, DE; Pamela Burk Turner and husband, Brad, of Denton, MD; Patrick Burk and wife, Joanna, of Dover, DE; 2 brothers, Rex Burk, Webster, FL and Raymond Burk, Bushnell, FL; 1 sister, Carolyn Thomas, Fruitland Park, FL; 5 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and 5 nieces and 3 nephews.
Graveside Military Services are scheduled for Friday, January 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Friends are invited to join the family at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home for visitation on Friday at 9:00 AM until the procession departs for the cemetery at 10:15 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Citrus County Animal Shelter, 4030 S. Airport Road, Inverness, Fl 34450.
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