John Burch

Dr. John Russell Burch Jr., age 51, of Martin, formerly of Campbellsville, Kentucky, passed away Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 at his home in the arms of his wife. There will be a memorial reception at the Paul Meek Library on the University of Tennessee at Martin campus from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. John was born Friday, March 22, 1968 in Peoria, Illinois, to John Sr. and Idalia Burch, both of whom preceded him in death. He was an author, educator and visionary, but first and foremost a husband and father. He received his bachelor’s degree from Berea College; went on to obtain two masters degrees, one in library science, the other in history and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Kentucky; and was most recently employed by the University of Tennessee at Martin as the library directory. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Samantha; daughters, Morgan Melvin (Daniel) of Amelia, Ohio, Alexandra Burch of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Kayleigh Burch of Martin; a son, Christopher Burch of Lexington, Kentucky; grandsons, Samson and Callum Melvin; sister, Stacy O’Malley (Sean) of New Canaan, Connecticut, and many other family and friends.