John Burcham Passes Away

    John B. Burcham, Jr., 85, a resident of Charles Town, WV for 10 years and previously of Germantown, MD, died of heart failure on February 26, 2017 at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.
    Born on September 6, 1931 in Jonesville, NC, John was a graduate of Anacostia High School, and the U.S. Naval Academy. He also attended the George Washington University. John served in the U.S. Air Force and in the U.S. Naval Reserves. During his career, he worked for NASA, the Planning Research Corporation, was a Prince George's County Commissioner, served on the Metro Board, was the Chairman of the Maryland Park and Planning Commission, and was the Executive Director of the National Association of Beverage Retailers for 30 years. He also taught night classes at the University of Maryland and was a member of the Jaycees. John enjoyed golf, baseball, flying and being involved in politics in Prince George's County and Charles Town, WV as well as at the national level as a two-time U.S. Congressional candidate.
    John is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dolores Dame Burcham; his daughters, Jody Burcham Kilmer of Charles Town,WV, Kelley Burcham and Jan Burcham Wisooker, both of Edgewater, MD and Constance Burcham Almony of Elkridge, MD; his sister, Kathleen Land and grandchildren, Tyler and Jordan Almony, Samantha Thomas and Nikki Kilmer. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren.
    Friends are invited to celebrate John's life on Thursday, March 2 from 6 to 8 pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. His memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3 at 12:30 pm at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship, 377 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. Inurnment will follow at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the  National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.