Joe Burger, age 54, of Fate, TX, passed away on July 30, 2021. He was born October 14, 1966, in Arlington Heights, IL, to William Joseph Burger and Mary Anne (Schraffenberger) Burger. Joe’s family moved to Butte, MT where Joe graduated from Butte Central High School and went on to achieve his bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration at Washington State University. After college, he worked at numerous sporting venues across the country, including his beloved Wrigley Field, Kiel Center (St Louis), American Airlines Center (Dallas), and many more. Joe enjoyed cooking for everyone. In recent years he moved into the grocery industry working at Central Market, Kroger, and Buc-ees. Joe was passionate about civic duties and served as the Mayor of Fate, TX, and a member of the city council for seven years. He enjoyed being involved in Royse City ISD committees and was very proud of the innovative direction the school district is heading. Joe was a big supporter of our Fate DPS (Department of Public Safety) and enjoyed supporting them in multiple ways.
Joe loved two things very deeply, his family and his Cubs. He has been a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and as a fan, his pinnacle moment was the 2016 World Series win.
Joe is survived by his loving wife: Michele Burger of Fate, TX; sons: Christopher Lamb and wife Dimery Michaels of Lewisville, TX, Stephen Lamb and fiancé Carla Leingang of Garland, TX, Nick Lamb and wife Priscilla of Garland, TX, and William Burger of Fate, TX; parents: Bill and Mary Anne Burger of Butte, MT; sisters: Jennifer Loomis and husband Jody of Helena, MT and Sara Wood of Topeka, KS; brother: David Burger and wife Danika of Cypress, TX; parents-in law: Rita and Mike Tunnicliff of Peculiar, MO; and sisters-in-law: Sheri Derry and husband Chris of Pleasant Hill, MO and Angie Cain and husband Richard of Pleasant Hill, MO; twenty-one nieces and nephews: Rachael Conner (his little friend), Kara Holm, Charlotte and Peyton Burger, Ashton Loomis, Isaac Wood, Jackson Wood, Hannah Sage, Emilee Neal, Mason Derry, Courtney Roper, Lauren Harmon, Victoria Cain and multiple great nieces and nephews; aunt: Sandra Blankenship; cousins: David Schraffenberger, Pamm Hunter, Lisa Conley and many others. He was preceded in death by his grandmothers: Marjorie (Cha-Cha) Burger and Sarah Schraffenberger; nephew: Wyatt Wood; father-in-law: James Miller.
The visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 4:00pm Saturday, August 14, 2021, at The Gathering at Rest Haven Funeral Home-Rockwall Location. A celebration of Joe’s life will begin at 4:00pm following the visitation. All those attending are asked to wear Chicago Cubs attire or Cubs colors to honor Joe’s love for his team and the game of baseball. The family has asked, in lieu of flowers please donate to Joe Burger Park through the City of Fate.
