Joseph W. Burckel, Jr. passed into the presence of his Heavenly Father on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at the age of 65. A proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and an Archbishop Rummel High School alumnus, Joe received a football scholarship to pursue his education and play at the University of Southern Mississippi. Upon graduation, he returned to Rummel to teach biology and chemistry along with coaching football and track.
In 1990, Joe was called up as a reservist to serve in Desert Storm / Desert Shield and remained with the Army fulltime for the next 20 years. A highlight of his military career includes leading the 48th CASH in Afghanistan before retiring as a colonel in 2010.The only thing Joe loved more than his work was his family.
Joe was preceded in death by his father in-law Tanner David Knox of Hahira, Georgia; niece, Dr. Laura Ashley Burckel Peterson of Lake Charles; brother-in-law Randy G. Gervais of New Orleans; brother-in-law Tanner David Knox, Jr. of Germany, and sister in-law Cynthia Knox Cochran of Connecticut.
Those left to cherish his amazing life are his devoted, wonderful wife, Pamela Knox Burckel and his two daughters, Barbara Jo Burckel, and Cynthia Burckel Dawson; his son-in-law Ryan W. Dawson and granddaughter Jane A. Dawson. Parents, Joseph W. and Frances C. Burckel; sister, Lori Burckel Gervais, brothers, Daryl (Mary) Burckel, Wayne (Janet) Burckel, and Brad (Christi) Burckel; nieces, Kelly, Natalie, Melissa, Victoria, Burckel, and Sarah; nephews, Randy, Wayne, Brad, and Brandon; mother-in-law Dolores Vining Knox; sister-in-law Michele Knox; nieces, Tammy and Suzanne; nephews, Dominic and MacArthur.
Joe was blessed to have in his life a host of delightful and caring aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and close friends. He loved each of them very much and they made his life all the richer.
There will be a Celebration of Joe Burckel's Life on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Fairhope, Alabama, beginning with visitation from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with a service and burial to follow at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Cards and letters of condolence can be mailed to P.O. Box 62, Fairhope, AL 36533.
