Ornel Jackson Burker, 88, Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord, Monday, March 16, 2026. He was born June 3, 1937 in Hagerstown, Maryland, to the late Keller Casper and Ollie Susan Burker. He had lived over 60 years in Carter County. Ornel was a Mechanical Contractor. He owned Burker Heating & Plumbing. He was also employed at the Carter County School Bus Garage. Ornel was Past Carter County Election Commissioner , he was president of the Elizabethton National and American Little Leagues and the Elizabethton Basketball Booster Club. He was a member of the Roan Street Church of God. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Cindy Burker, a brother: Charles Burker, a sister Linda Jones  and a Granddaughter: Brittany Erwin.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years Judy Oxendine Burker. His Children: Doug Burker, Orlando, Florida, Gary (Tish) Burker, Kingsport, Tim (Amy) Burker, Elizabethton, Dona (Thomas) Woods, Limestone, Jamie Jones, Johnson City and Holly (Brandon) Kent, Elizabethton. His Grandchildren: Beth (Matt) Cohen, Amy (Justin) Magdziuk, Drew Burker, Abbigail Burker, Brandon (Laura) Estep, Jefferson Erwin, Caleb Kent and Connor Kent. His Great Grandchildren: Samuel and Seth Cohen, Valoria, Clyde, and Wyatt Magdziuk, Astrid Rose and Gabriel Estep. And his loyal companion, Tucker.

A Celebration of Life Service for  Ornel will be conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2026 in the Roan Street Church of God with Pastor Jody Bewley and Pastor Ken Bewley officiating. Music will be under the direction of Chris Stansell and the Happy Way Quartett. Honorary Pallbearers will be: The Men's Bible Study and his church family and Carter County Bus Drivers. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the church prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Ornel to the Roan Street Church of God, 113 N. Roan Street, Elizabethton, Tenn. 37643.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Burker family