Ward R. Burke

Member Emeritus

Ward R. Burke of Lufkin is a dynamic leader who has provided outstanding leadership not only for the Burke Center but for many agencies, boards, and committees designed to address the needs of people with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse addictions.

Mr. Burke was born in Lufkin, Texas in 1916 and attended Lufkin High School. He received a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Texas. From 1942 to 1946 he was on active duty with the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the military, he returned to Lufkin and opened a private practice. He was later elected District Attorney, Second Judicial District of Texas, and was active in civil law until 1952. He returned to private practice, and in 1978 was named Vice President-Law of Temple Eastex, Inc. in Diboll. He currently serves as Trustee for the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.

He co-organized the Lufkin Workshop and Opportunity Center, Inc., the Association for Retarded Citizens of Angelina County and the Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers, Inc. He has also served on the Board of the Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools and on the Board of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Mr. Burke's civic associations include the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, Lufkin Independent School District, Kiwanis Club and many others.

Mr. Burke was co-founder of Deep East Texas Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services, now Burke Center. He served on the Burke Center's Board of Trustees from 1974 until 1995 and as Chairman from 1974 to 1979. He is currently a Board Member Emeritus.