John Allen Burch Jr

John Allen Burch Jr, 85, of Charlotte, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Novant Medical Center in Matthews. John was born in Lynchburg, VA, on September 20, 1929, the son of John Allen Burch Sr and Lillian Douglas Hall. He graduated from Montvale High School and answered his country’s call to service in the United States Marine Corp. He spent his life in sales and service for material handling products with his last 20 years at Wrenn Handling. On September 2, 1950, he married Esther Thompson in Blue Ridge, Virginia, and together they moved to Charlotte in 1963. John enjoyed many things in life. When his sons decided to join the Scouts, he volunteered his own time and went on to become the Scoutmaster of Troop 173, “the best small troop Charlotte ever saw”. John was proud of the fact that over a dozen scouts went on to become Eagle Scouts. He spent 15 years as a Scoutmaster and even after his son’s left the program, remained active with the Scouts. Continuing to give to the youth, he spent over 10 years as a coach for the Pop Warner Football League with the East Mecklenburg Optimist Club. John used his God given talents in honor of his Lord as a proud member of the family of Sharon Forest Baptist Church. He gave of his talents as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, and head cook for the Brotherhood Breakfast. Most of all, John loved the time spent with family and friends and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. John is survived by his wife of over 64 years, Esther; five children: Melinda (Scott) Rossi of Cary, NC, Chip Burch of Jacksonville, NC, Chuck (Franki) Burch of Boiling Springs, NC, Mary Ellen (Chip) Stuart of Warner Robins, GA, and David (Sarah) Burch of Reston, Virginia; thirteen grandchildren: Jennifer, Amy, Patrick, Tammy, Travis, Danielle, Amy, Katie, Abbie, Austin, Kelley, Ryan, and Madison; and four great grandchildren: Jenna, William, Bailey, and Hudson. He is further survived by one sister, Ann Seddon, and numerous other family and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bobby, in 2000; and a brother, Bill. John’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for them at this time. Services honoring the life and blessing of John will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 21, in the chapel of the funeral home, 4715 Margaret Wallace Road, Matthews, NC 28105. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12 noon until time of service. Following the service, John will be taken in formal procession to his final place of earthly rest at Sunset Memory Gardens, Charlotte, where a military tribute will be held. In honor of John’s service to others, the family would appreciate memorials and time to Hearts and Hammers at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. You can find them online at http://www.myhickorygrove.org/livesent/hearts-hammers/

John Allen Burch Jr

September 20, 1929 - March 18, 2015