James Edward Burkey

James Edward Burkey, 80, longtime Seminole resident died, Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Shawnee, Oklahoma. James was born February 17, 1934 in Minco, Oklahoma to Beatrice Josephine (Slover) and Ralph Oren Burkey. James moved to Seminole in 1972. James grew up on a farm in Pocasset, Oklahoma and attended schools there. He attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in forestry in 1961. After his graduation James moved to Chickasha, Oklahoma and took a temporary job with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission with the State of Oklahoma, the temporary job led him to a 27 year career with commission retiring in 1988 as a field director; he had worked in several towns all throughout the state before his retirement. James was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma, he loved to fish and raise vegetables in his garden, and be with his grandchildren. James served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958. He was a master mason and a member of the masonic lodge in Pocasset, Oklahoma where he recently received his 50 year pin. James married Mary Jane (Greene) Burkey at the Danville Methodist Church in Kilgore, Texas on September 5, 1958. James is survived by his loving wife of 56 years; Mary Jane Burkey of Seminole, his son James David Burkey of Pocasset, Oklahoma, his daughter Patricia Leigh Centracco and her husband Bret of Prague, Czech Republic, two brothers Jerry Burkey and his wife Anita of Fletcher, Oklahoma and Joe Burkey of El Reno, Oklahoma, his grandchildren David Oren Burkey , Hannah Burkey, Caleb Briton Centracco and Peyton Scott Centracco  and many nieces and nephews and a host of other family members. James was preceded in death by his Father Ralph Burkey, Mother Beatrice Burkey, his daughter Cheryl Anne Burkey in 1982. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Saturday February 7, 2015 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel. Honorary Bearers will be Ollie Adams, Fred Basler, Kerry Baker, Clarke Baker, Curtis Lemmings and Donnie Williams. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital or to the Charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma Funeral Information: February 7, 2015, 1:00 PM Memorial Service at Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole, Oklahoma located at 1001 N. Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868