Jim was a Vietnam Veteran and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from Jan. 1961 until Jan. 1981. He retired as a Sergeant First Class. While serving his country, Jim met and married the love of his life, Nedra Jean Miller, on Jan. 1, 1963. They had 3 children—Jeffrey Duane, James Darren, and Janis Delynn. After retiring from the Army, Jim was hired by Panama Public School as a bus driver. After serving there 15 years, he retired from that as well.
Jim was an avid wolf hunter and enjoyed fishing as well. He also loved RVing in his retirement, and ultimately his goal was to travel the U.S. from “sea to sea,” in which he did accomplish—from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Vida Burch; an infant sister, Carolyn Sue; his brothers, Jerry Don Burch and Douglas Wayne Burch; sisters-in-law, Eva Nell Burch and Peggy Burch; a son, Jeffrey Duane Burch; and a nephew, Kevin Wayne Burch.
Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean Burch; a son, Darren Burch and wife Roberta; a daughter, Janis Hatcher and husband Troy; a daughter-in-law, Tracey Burch; granddaughters Ashley Blaylock and husband Jerry, Christina Ritter and husband John; grandsons Jesse Burch, Jake Burch and wife Mallary; great-grandsons Allen Mirick and Jaden Lindsey; great-granddaughters Lilly Lindsey and Isabella Burch; sisters Rebecca Burch and Gloria Neff; a brother, Kenneth Burch; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a Memorial service at a later date.
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