Obituary of Larry D. Burkett

Larry Burkett, 60, of Olympia, Wash., died from cancer on Tues., July 17 surrounded by family. The born-and-raised Iowan will be memorialized on Sunday, August 5 in his hometown of Iowa City, where he will receive full military honors in recognition of his lifelong service to his country. Those wishing to contact his family may do so by leaving comments and memories in "View Guestbook" below or via e-mail at LarryBurkettMemorial@yahoo.com.Born on February 26, 1947 in Iowa City to Daryl and Lila Burkett, Larry lived more during his sixty years than most people would in 120. A star baseball player, Larry was recruited to play for the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league team after graduating from Iowa City High School in 1965. He was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War soon after and surpassed his obligations by re-enlisting for a second tour. Following Vietnam, Larry, a graduate of the University of Iowa, remained in the military and aced Officer Candidate School, as well as Ranger and airborne infantry training, and enjoyed a highly decorated military career as an army intelligence officer that took him and his family around the world. He retired from the army in 1995 as a major in the elite Special Forces after serving his country for 25 years. Not long after “retirement,” he began working with the Olympia Police Department, where he served as the rangemaster for nine years, training officers and other personnel in gun use and safety. A contrast of adjectives, Larry epitomized strength yet was innately sensitive; possessed natural charisma as well as endearing foibles; was simultaneously intelligent yet silly, worldly and sophisticated yet down-to-earth and self-deprecating; and was equally comfortable talking politics with ambassadors as he was giggling over The Simpsons with his kids. Larry was a best friend to his wife and a hero to his kids. He will forever remain in the hearts of those he’s survived by, including his lifelong love Kristine Burkett, a former Iowa City resident currently living in Olympia, Wash.; his children Matt, Kelly and Shayne, also in Washington; his father Daryl of Juneau, Wis.; siblings Patty McNichol of Iowa City and Steve Burkett of Richmond, Ind.; and scores of friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lila Burkett, in 2000.