James D. Burger

James Dean Burger, the son of Ralph M. and Mary Burger, was born November 28, 1937, at Cawker City, Kansas. He passed away on August 9, 2009 at the age of 72 years.
Jim spent his entire life in Cawker City. He attended Cawker City schools and graduated from CCHS in 1957. Following high school, Jim assisted Ralph and Mary in the operation of the family grocery store until the business closed in 1968. He worked at several jobs throughout his adult life and in the years before his retirement Jim was once again employed in the grocery business, working at Fausto's Market in Cawker City.
Jim's love for sports, especially baseball, was unsurpassed. Sports were his passion, from the local Pee Wee teams he coached to the major league clubs he followed on radio and TV. Jim's loyalty to the St. Louis Cardinals was undying. The knowledge he had about players and their stats, not only the Cardinals but all of baseball, was encyclopedic. And Jim rarely missed a CCHS or Waconda East game. Baseball, football, or basketball; Jim was in the stands or on the side lines cheering on the home team.
Jim was a life long Democrat, and he remained interested in politics throughout the 2008 presidential election cycle. Many a morning found Jim watching CNN or C-SPAN, keeping abreast of the latest political developments.
His parents Ralph and Mary preceded him in death. He was a devoted son and looked after both parents in their later years. Thanks to Jim's presence and care, Mary was able to stay in her home until she was 93 years of age.
Survivors include brother Ralph Burger and wife Ellen of Greenwood, Missouri; brother Ron Burger of Dallas, Texas; nephew Joe Burger of Des Moines Iowa, niece Kathy Burger Butler and husband Grant of Lee's Summit Missouri and niece Diane Burger Jenkins and husband Tim of Billings Montana.
Jim leaves behind many friends in and around Cawker City including Dale Wooten, Linda Clover, Todd Clover, and Fausto Arinendi, who were like family to Jim and helped him through a difficult last year of his life.
Jim was a member of the Cawker City United Methodist where he attended Sunday services on a regular basis.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 22, at the Cawker City United Methodist Church with burial at Prairie Grove Cemetery. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the church.