Written by Terry D. Adams     
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 00:00 
Dear Editor:

On Thursday, May 18, Delta lost a well-known citizen with the passing of Gary Burke. It is our understanding Gary was a well-known sports writer and avid fan, spending the bulk of his life following the sports world.

Tears will surely flow as memories are shared over the loss of your neighbor and friend.

At this time tears are also being shed all over the world as Gary Burke had another side that most folks were not aware of. He had a tremendous love of numismatics, or coin collecting as most of us now call the hobby. A few years ago this amazing technology we call the Internet connected folks from all walks of life, from around the world, on various forums to discuss our hobbies and our passions.

A very small group of collectors had a dream and Gary Burke helped foster that dream into an international coin forum which became known as The Knights of the Coin Table. Based on truth, honesty and integrity the coin collectors involved shared knowledge as the membership grew. With old-fashioned chivalry as our guide, members began trading equal value collectables, and the idea has since spread around the world, with Gary forging the way in an effort to promote the love of numismatics with anyone who wished to learn.

In a few short years the Knights of the Coin Table forum was up and running with Gary Burke serving in the capacity of moderator on a world class forum. With Gary’s help we created the first membership-owned forum in the Internet world. He quietly served as the forum scribe, secretary and historian, while at the same time fulfilling his role as a father, grandfather, husband and employee for his local newspaper.

In 2007 the Knights of the Coin Table managed a first for an Internet forum group when they commissioned Colorado engraver and sculptor Daniel Carr to create their first silver, copper, brass and pewter medallions. We received e-mails from all over the world telling us it could not be done by such a small group. We were told repeatedly not to waste our time and efforts as major coin clubs throughout the world could not succeed in such an endeavor as thousands of dollars would have to be raised to fulfill such a dream. Undeterred and with Gary’s guidance and help the impossible became possible. Final shipment of our first medallions would be launched, under the direction of Gary and his wife Pat, from their home in Delta. The feat was again accomplished in 2008 and 2009 as we now await for last year’s medallions.

In the past few hours coin collectors from Australia, China, Turkey, Great Britain, Canada, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, Slovak Republic, Estonia, Romania, Italy, India, United States and the Netherlands have learned of the loss of our friend and mentor. We at this time are quickly moving forward with a new quest, which will again be a first for an Internet coin forum, as we prepare a memorial tribute to our friend from Colorado who gave so much to the world and asked nothing in return.

Last fall I was fortunte enough to meet Gary and Pat Burke as they ventured through the state of Indiana while on vacation. After spending countless hours online with this unique individual from Colorado I could now put a face with the name. I am one of the lucky ones in this group who got to shake the hand of such an outstanding personality.

Over the course of a lifetime we each will meet thousands of people. Some will be in passing while others will remain for a while, in our lives and in our hearts. And then there are those rare few who will never be forgotten as they truly do leave footprints on your heart. Gary Burke had done so in over 15 countries in the world and we are honored to have known and shared with this man and his family from Delta, Colorado.

Terry D. Adams

Administrator

Knights of the Coin Table International Coin Forum

Greensburg, Indiana
 

I don't think he was going to ask, so I will for him -



I'm aware that certain situations may require discussion and this should be done directly with Twoshadows. Their may also be prior agreements to consider.

None-the-less, The sooner we pay for them.... the sooner we get'em!

Gary was born Dec. 27, 1942, in Grand Junction, to Granville and Blossom (Palmer) Burke. They lived on 12th Street in Grand Junction, and Gary recalls playing with his brother Stacey on the Mesa Junior College campus across the street. They used the Mavericks’ practice diamond for baseball, played with the football dummies which were usually left out on the grass field overnight, and hit tennis balls on the college courts.

Gary had rheumatic fever at a very young age, and regreted that he could never be the kind of “big brother” Stacey deserved. He tried to make up for it up in later years.

His dad worked at the Rio Grande Railroad, often working back-to-back shifts to provide for his family. Gary’s mother also worked for the Rio Grande Railroad, and later for the Daily Sentinel. As the boys grew up, she had surgery for a brain tumor and later suffered a heart attack which put an end to her working career. He remembered both his mother and father as wonderful people who worked hard and loved him and his brother.

Gary graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1960 and received an associate’s degree from Mesa Junior College in 1962. He continued his education at Western State College, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and his master’s degree in 1967.

He began his teaching career in Fowler where he met and married his wife, Patricia Armstrong, on April 7, 1966. They would have celebrated 44 years of marriage in April.

In 1967 he moved to Delta and for the next 36 years he did his best to make a difference in children’s lives as a teacher and coach at Delta Middle School. He was the first sports editor at the Delta County Independent, and throughout his 41-year career his first priority was making sure each young athlete got the recognition he or she deserved. He always strived to make his articles positive, because he knew he was capturing memories and filling scrapbooks with his stories and photos. He was also the yearbook advisor for many years, and between the yearbook and the newspaper he probably photographed thousands of kids.

Gary retired from teaching in 2000 but continued to write for the DCI until declining health forced him to retire in March 2009.

He was devoted to his children and grandchildren, and was just as proud of his brother, nieces and nephews. He was known as “Papa Goose,” to his grandchildren, a name which he used in his e-mail correspondence.

He was a Yankees fan from a young age, like his father, and Mickey Mantle was a childhood hero. When the Rockies franchise was established, Gary became a season ticket holder and attended as many home openers as he could.

He loved to travel and many of the trips he took with Pat and his family reflected his interest in history and sports. He tried to visit the stadiums in every major city he traveled through.

He collected campaign buttons, stamps and coins, and was a founding member of an Internet forum called the Knights of the Coin Table. Former students will recall his extensive collection of National Geographics, postcards and the autographed photos of politicians and celebrities which lined the walls of his classroom. He tried to bring history alive for every student.

He valued education and was pleased that all three of his children had at least a master’s degree. He never stopped learning himself, and spent hours researching topics of interest on the Internet. He maintained extensive files of his research.

He also enjoyed photography, boating and the fresh air. He had a dry sense of humor and a strong loyalty to his friends.

He was a “Red Baron” who volunteered at the Delta County Memorial Hospital gift shop, which is managed by his wife Pat. He also served on the board of the Delta County Historical Society and volunteered at the museum. He was honored as one of Mesa State College’s Distinguished in 2005 and served on the Mesa State College Alumni Association board.

During his newspaper career he earned a number of awards, including the Colorado High School Coaches Association Media Award in recognition of dedication and distinguished service to the Colorado High School Coaches Association (1997-1998); Colorado Athletic Directors Association award for media coverage of Colorado athletes (1994); the Colorado State Wrestling Media Award (2008); and Sportswriter of the Year from Wrestling USA (1992). In March 1995 he received the Lloyd Gaskill Friend of High School Sports Award.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Burke of Delta; a son, Michael Burke and his wife Dee, and their children, Alison and Nicholas, all of Grand Junction; a daughter, Michelle Mountfort and her children, Tricia and Daniel, all of Delta, a son, Mitchell Burke and his wife Bonnie, and their child, Christiaan Burke, all of Loveland; a granddaughter, Kaitlyn Calhoon of Castle Rock; and a brother and his wife, Stacey and Claudia Burke of Grand Junction.

He considered Pat’s family his own: Walt Nolting and James Martinez of Alcalde, N.M.; Vic and Darlene Hernandez of Pueblo, Bev and Carl Bierman of Manzanola, and Garry Nolting and Leah Fox of Ordway, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Christopher Burke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Mesa State College Foundation, 1450 North 12th, Grand Junction, CO 81501.

View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylorfuneralservice.com.

Put me down for 2 of them.

One for me and the other for MedicineMichelle. I would like to not only buy it but actually send it to her with a note of condolences.

I like the idea of using the Moonlight Mint logo as a reverse. My only suggestion is to place something on the obverse of the 2010 Medallion that refers to the holder as a KOTCT Member. Hat pins, t-shirts, patches and etc. just doesn't strike me like a "one of a kind" Members Medallion. The kind of coin you would carry and use for a conversation piece. Tell others about the group and how you conversation piece came to be.

Just venting...

TKO