Terrance T. Burke

Terrance Terry Burke, 82, of Fremont died at his home Thursday afternoon, surrounded by his family. He was born in Fremont on May 24, 1922 to Thomas and Zelma (Terry) Burke. Terry graduated from Ross High School in 1942 where he played the drums in the marching band. He joined the Marines after graduation joining the Marine Corps Band after basic training. He was sent to Washington DC where he guarded the gates at the White House as well as the U.S. Naval Yard. He played for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Terry served in World War II in the 3rd Marine Division stationed in Guam. He witnessed the raising of the flag a top of Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima; he was with the first American invasion force at Guadalcanal and entertained the troops with the USO shows; he also was a member of the Halls of Montezuma band and played throughout the Pacific Islands. While serving in the Korean War in 1950 he was a member of the Big West Coast Marine Band stationed at Camp Pendleton, San Diego. He appeared with Betty Hutton and Bob Hope and many others. Terry earned a promotion to Staff Sergeant. In June 1946 he married Alice Hoffman and she died in 1986. Terry continued his music business playing with National VFW Marine Band, Charlie Haasers Big Band at the Rainbow Gardens, also forming Terry Burke Trio and The Dukes & Duchesses Band. Terry was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in 2000. He was a lifelong member of St. Anns Catholic Community, the Fremont Posts of the VFW and American Legion, Marine Corps League, and supported the Viet Nam Veterans James Burke Chapter of Fremont, Ohio, named after his son who died in Viet Nam in 1968. Terry worked at St. Joes Catholic School and retired from the St. Bernadines and Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center. He loved car shows and owned a 1963 Mercury Monterey for a show car, which won 8 trophies. Surviving Terry are children Sue Ann (Don Yohe) Dorsey, Lonnie (Judy Walker) J. Burke, Christine (Ken) Byers, all of Fremont, Mary (Paul Hatt) Oney, Safety Harbor, FL, Kathyleen Gonya, Fremont, Richard (Marcia) Burke, Safety Harbor, FL, 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and sister, Estella (Dallas) Perry, Fremont. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife and son, James.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 23 from 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Fremont. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, May 24, the day of his birth, 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Fr. Gerald Ceranowski officiating. Burial with military rites by the American Legion and VFW Posts will follow at the Calvary section of St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the family.