This obituary was originally published on Rogers & Breece Funeral Home.
James Andrew Burack Jr. passed away on May 31, 2026. (Sergeant First Class, Ret.)
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Andrew Burack and Masai Mineshina Burack.
James is survived by his wife, Brenda Lovette Burack; his son, Christopher Michael Burack and wife, Karen Davis Burack, of Winterville NC; and his daughter, Michelle Renee Romero and husband, Cesar Romero, of Fayetteville NC; and his grandchildren, Uriah James Romero and Caden Davis Burack.
Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James Andrew Burack Jr. proudly served in the United States Army for more than 20 years, retiring in 1993 after a distinguished military career.
A member of the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, he was a Ranger, sniper, paratrooper, combat medic, military policeman, and respected senior Noncommissioned Officer. He exemplified courage, leadership, and dedication throughout his service. During his career, he served with the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), conducting narcotics investigations, and later served as a liaison between the military and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department.
His military career included participation in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, where he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart, combat jump in Operation Just Cause in Panama, and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Southwest Asia. He earned numerous military decorations, including the Purple Heart, multiple Army Commendation medals, Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Medical Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He was deeply proud of his service to his country, the soldiers he led, and the lifelong values of duty, honor, and selfless service that guided his life.
In honor of his distinguished military service to the nation, Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James Andrew Burack Jr. will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the HunterSeven Foundation (hunterseven.org) in honor of Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James Andrew Burack Jr.