Louis Garland Burkes' Obituary
Louis Garland Burkes, born September 3, 1923 in New Orleans, died April 2, 2013. He was 89 years old. Predeceased by his parents, the late Robert Talmage Burkes and Annie Draughn Burkes, and his beloved wife of 58 years, Helen Rault Burkes. He is survived by his three children, Robert Andrew Burkes, Louis Edward Burkes, and Susan Burkes Stoetzel, two grandchildren, Wei Burkes and Heinrich Stoetzel, two nieces, Carolyn Ann Burkes Root and Deborah Burkes Ward, cousins including Elizabeth, Dorothy, Donnie Burkes, and John Vester Burkes.
Mr. Burkes retired a Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, having served in the Pacific Theater of World War II aboard the USS Breton, CVE-23. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Tulane University, where he was a member of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
He worked for the Boeing Company supporting construction of the Saturn V launch vehicle for NASA’s lunar lander. Later he served the US Department of Agriculture in New Orleans and Maryland. Mr. Burkes and his wife were members of the Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church. A lifelong resident of New Orleans’ uptown neighborhoods, he was often heard relating anecdotes about the city. He attended Robert Mills Lusher Elementary and Alcee Fortier High Schools. During retirement he enjoyed membership in the Round Table Club and the National World War II Museum. He studied painting at the New Orleans Academy of Art and produced a collection of scenic works featuring the neighborhood. He was an avid gardener. Mr. Burkes cherished his regular walks in Audubon Park with his wife, Helen.
Deepest gratitude is extended to Mr. Burkes’ private caretakers and the medical professionals who cared for him during the last years of his life.
Loving husband, father, grandfather, loyal citizen, a gentleman to the end, he will be missed by all who knew him.
Donations may be made to the Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church fund, the National World War II Museum fund, the US Navy Memorial Fund, or a charity of your choice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue in Covington on Monday, April 15th, 2013 from 6-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church, 3900 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans at 1:00 PM with a visitation at church beginning at noon12 noon, Tuesday, April 16th, 2013. An internment ceremony will follow at Masonic Cemetery No. 2, 400 City Park Avenue in New Orleans. Please sign the Guest Book online at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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