Dates
Edward L. Burke, lovingly known as “Eddie” and “Eddie Lee,” departed his earthly home on May 13, 2025, at the age of 86, to join our Heavenly Father and reunite with his beloved wife Myrtie. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Love Funeral Home Chapel Eldorado. Interment will follow in Eldorado Cemetery.
Born on August 16, 1938, in Glens Falls, New York, Eddie was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. From January 3, 1957, to December 4, 1964. He served with honor as a Radio Intercept Operator with the USAF Security Service. His service took him around the world - including 18 months in the Philippines and 15 months in Turkey. While stationed in Turkey, Eddie not only served as a Payroll Clerk but also embraced his passion for music—performing in a country band and eventually running the base radio station. His service concluded at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, where he worked as a base lifeguard and Finance Clerk.
It was in San Angelo where he met the love of his life, Myrtie Westbrook, in September 1963. They were married on November 15 of that year. Together, they raised a loving family: Lynda, their daughter, along with Myrtie’s children, Elizabeth and Joe Lee, from her first marriage. Their journey took them from New York to Indiana, and eventually back to Texas.
Eddie worked on Myrtie’s family ranch before beginning his career with GTE in 1969. In 1984, the family settled in Southlake, Texas, where Eddie continued with GTE/Verizon until his retirement in 1995. He later returned to the workforce, serving with the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and finishing his second career with the TSA and finally retiring in 2009.
A man of many passions, Eddie found joy in fishing, music, and service. From his boyhood days fishing in the Hudson River and Copeland Pond with his brother, to exploring the lakes and rivers around San Angelo, fishing was a lifelong love. His musical talent began early—he was First Chair trumpet player in high school and continued performing throughout his life. Eddie played bass and steel guitar in various bands and was a beloved member of the karaoke community at the American Legion where Ed and his friends could be found every Wednesday night singing that good old-fashioned country music. Ed sang with all his heart and soul.
Eddie also dedicated time to scouting. He joined the Cub Scouts at age 8, Boy Scouts at 11, and served as Assistant Scoutmaster from 1959 to 1964, and later as Scoutmaster in from1975 to 1979.
Eddie is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Myrtie Burke, and his son, Joe Lee Luttrell. He is survived by his daughter Lynda Mullan her husband Brendan; granddaughters Taylor Stubblefield (Clay) and Courtney Hlavaty (Jack); great-grandsons of Texas; daughter Elizabeth Luttrell and granddaughters Miranda Barnes (Dustin) and Rachel Gamel (Taylor) great-grandchilden of Louisana; siblings Thomas Burke, Dennis Stockwell, and Kathy Gitto of New York; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Ed lived a full life filled with love, laughter and his enjoyment of music. We are left with many fond memories to look back upon when a smile is needed. Ed will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
Our family extends a personal and heartfelt thanks to Christine Perl for stepping in during the past ten years when we needed a helping hand with Ed’s care. We truly don’t know what we would have done without you. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the team of doctors and nurses at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Grapevine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eddie’s memory to One Tribe Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting veterans and first responders through traditional and nontraditional therapies.