William David Burke

William David Burke, 83, of Oxford, Mississippi, passed away on May 9 after a lengthy battle with heart failure and dementia. He was deeply loved by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives were made brighter simply by knowing him. David could make friends in the checkout line of the Piggly Wiggly, and often did so.

David was born in Meridian, Mississippi, on August 11, 1942, to William Otho and Eloise Turnage Burke. He spent a joyous childhood in Newton County creating (mostly) harmless mischief with his favorite cousin, Albert. He graduated from Meridian High School in 1960 and became the first member of his family to attend college. He went on to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in zoology from Mississippi State University, with minors in entomology.

For nearly forty years, he worked at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Director. Over the course of his career, he evaluated the impact of environmental toxins, mapped the coastline, and engineered testing systems that supported marine science research along the Gulf Coast. Though not officially part of his duties, he also became the Research Laboratory’s snake expert, patiently identifying every dead snake brought in by startled local citizens—no matter how many pieces the snake was in.

Outside of science, he was a gifted painter, actor, storyteller, and wit. His one-man portrayal of Mark Twain became the stuff of local legend, and his watercolor paintings still adorn his daughter’s home and office. He possessed a rare combination of brilliance and humor: the kind of man who knew something about nearly everything and could deliver a wickedly insightful turn of phrase at exactly the right moment.

He often joked that Hurricane Camille washed him down to the Coast and Hurricane Katrina washed him out. After Katrina, he relocated to North Mississippi to be near his daughter and grandson. His later years were spent reading, tinkering with an ever-growing armada of secondhand lawnmowers, and delighting in the role he treasured most: grandfather.

The great joy of his life was caring for his grandson, Bremen, who inherited his grandfather’s red hair, bawdy sense of humor, and endless curiosity about the natural world. Few things made him happier than sharing stories, jokes, and discoveries with the child he adored.

He will be remembered by those fortunate enough to know him as a brilliant force of nature: endlessly curious, deeply creative, fiercely funny, and utterly unforgettable. His family will remember him most simply as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather whose presence made the world larger, livelier, and infinitely more interesting.

David is survived by his wife, Anne; his children, Meaghin Burke and Gene Carter; his sister Ava Louise Wells; and his grandson, Bremen Earnest. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.