Kent Lee Burke

Kent Lee Burke, 84, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family following a long battle with cancer. Born in Russell County, Virginia, but he called Kingsport home for most of his life. He retired from Kingsport Police Department after 27 years of service. Kent Lee loved to walk, do his word find books and working in his garden.

Kent Lee was of the Baptist faith. He read his Bible daily until his eyesight failed him. He loved his family most of all.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Mary Burke; son, James Houston Burke; brothers, Joe, Dwight, Ray, David and Gaines; and sister, Jean.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Patty Burke; daughter, Beverly Waddell (Rob); sisters, Louise Hartsock, Kiline Nixon; grandchildren, Tyler Finocchio (Sean), Jackson Slater (Kassie), and Katherine Weiss (Alex) and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5pm – 7pm on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. A service will follow at 7pm with Tony Smith officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Holston View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.