Submitted by
Ken Gates
WILLIAM ZEBULON “DOC” BURKE, DVM
April 14, 2006
Reagan
Native
William Zebulon “Doc” Burke, DVM
William Zebulon Burke,
DMV, 96, passed away Friday, April 14, 2006 as a result of complications of
congestive heart failure. Instrumental in the establishment of the Northside
ISD, he was honored in 2000 when the W. Z. "Doc" Burke Elementary
School was named for him.
Born in Reagan, he attended Texas
A&M, graduating from the School of veterinary medicine in 1934. In the
1930s and 1940s he tested cattle for Bang’s Disease and TB throughout Texas and
California for the US Govt. until joining the Army during WWII. Following his
honorable discharge as Lt. Colonel, he purchased a dairy farm on Bandera Road
in San Antonio, and established a large animal practice.
In the late 1940s he survived
Anthrax, sold the dairy farm and built the Bandera Road Animal Hospital,
expanding the practice to include small animals. The hospital continues in
operation today. Since his veterinary career retirement, he volunteered for the
VA Hospital in Kerrville, Memorial Primary School and Hope Hospice both in New
Braunfels.
His loving wife Hazel of 66 years,
his parents Zebulon and Leona Burke, and sister Betty Ellwood, preceded him in
death.
He is survived by his children
Betty Ann and Michael Canney, W. Z. (Bubba) and Karom Burke, Susan and Gary
Osborn; grandchildren, Katherine West, Gary and Karen West, Siobhan and Steve
Fingado, Laura Kathleen Haass and Kayanna Pace, Karen and Chris Carrillo, Tom
and Kim Osborn, Joy and Trey Drake; great-grandchildren Marshall Rosales,
Matthew and Jared West, Benjamin & Isabelle Carrillo, Hansley and Halley Osborn;
numerous family and friends.
His wit, sense of humor and care
for all people was evident in that he never met a stranger. To know him was to
love him.
Visitation will begin at 9 a.m.
with the service at 10 a. m, Thursday April 20, 2006 at Freedom Fellowship
Church, 410 Oak Run Point, New Braunfels. Interment will follow in Guadalupe
Valley Memorial Park.
All arrangements were under the
direction of Zoeller Funeral of New Braunfels.
In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to Hope Hospice, New Braunfels.
