James "Jake" Burdick

James “Jake” Burdick, 61, of Fort Gratiot, died peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease and Muscular Dystrophy.

He was born August 13, 1962 in Jackson to the late Frances C. and Willard E. Burdick.

Jake graduated from Jackson High School in 1981 and from Western Michigan University in 1987 with degrees in Paper Science and Chemistry. He worked as a chemical engineer in the paper manufacturing industry for nearly fifteen years before pursuing a second career in education. He earned his Masters of Teaching degree from Wayne State University in 2003 and went on to teach Math and Science at the High School and Middle School in St. Clair, Michigan. It is in teaching where Jake found his calling. He was able to make learning fun for his students and share his passion for science. Also in teaching, he was part of a close-knit supportive group of colleagues that became lifelong friends and to whom he referred as “his bitches.”

Jake married Kimberly Tinsley at First Presbyterian Church in Port Huron, MI on May 20, 1989. Port Huron is where they made their home and raised their two children, Anna and Jack. Jake loved being a father and was endlessly patient and warm with his children.

He enjoyed playing golf, watching sports and working on projects around the dream home that he and Kim bought on the lake in 2018. Above all, Jake loved spending time with his family and friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing many bad “dad jokes”. Jake saw the good in everyone and was tremendously kind and sweet natured.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kim; two children, Anna and Jack; his eight older brothers and sisters, Mike (Patti) Burdick, Celia Schnebelt, Jean (Rick) Savoie, Trish (Jim) Abbs, Sue McConnell, Steve (Karen) Burdick, Frank (Kathy) Burdick, and Chris (Sandra) Burdick; mother-in-law, Jean Klingeler; father-in-law, Richard “Dick” Tinsley; three brothers-in-law, John Tinsley, Dave (Debbie) Tinsley, and Rick (Amy) Tinsley; and a sister-in-law, Shelly Tinsley; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his step-mother-in-law, Evelyn Tinsley; and step-father-in-law, Richard Klingeler.

Memorial visitation will be from 2-5 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2023 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2023 in First Presbyterian Church, Port Huron. Dr. Roxie Davis will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com