James R. Burch, Sr., Belleview, FL, passed away on Thursday, 12 March 2015, in his sleep. Bob was 88 years old and was born 30 August 1926 in Evansville, IN to Charles L. Burch and Vurrell (Peggy) Houston Burch.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army 1943 shortly before graduating from Central High School, Evansville, IN. He entered active duty January 1945 serving in Germany and Japan prior to joining the Indiana National Guard. He married Joanne Briody of Evansville, IN in 1947 and divorced in July 1952. They had 3 surviving children, LTC James R. Burch II, Huntsville, AL; Keith N. Burch, Corvallis, MT, and Brenda L. Burch, Santa Clara, CA. He married Mary B. Lockyear 16 August 1953 in Evansville, IN residing initially in Millersburg, IN. They relocated to Cupertino, CA in December 1955. They were married for 46 years residing principally in Santa Clara, CA until her death in September, 1999. He was an expert machinist working in the prototyping design facility for several firms in the Silicon Valley electronics industry before retiring in 1991.
He was an active civilian pilot throughout his life beginning shortly after graduating from high school. He was active in the Palo Alto, CA Buddhist church/temple beginning in 1960. He was ordained as Buddhist Dharma teacher in May 2009 in Ocala, FL. He shared his love for animals throughout his wonderful life.
He is survived by his loving wife, Claudine, of Belleview, FL whom he married on Halloween 2004, in Ocala, FL. His sisters Judie Kohl and Lesa Stewart reside in Evansville, IN. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren, Robert Burch, Covington, GA; Shaun Burch, Birmingham, AL; Ronda Patane, Santa Clara, CA; and Vincent Hernandez, Terrebonne, OR as well as great grandchildren Tyler Burch, Covington, GA and Amanda Waddell, Atlanta, GA as well as great great grandchild, Jazmin Waddell.
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