September 7, 1947 – October 27, 2024
Larry William Burke was born in Mobridge to Clifford and Dorothy (Harmel) Burke, and lived in Isabel. He attended grade school and high school in Lemmon. He worked in his dad’s service station while in high school. The family moved to Morristown and then to McIntosh, where he was on the honor roll and graduated from high school in 1965.
After graduating, he worked a few jobs in the summer and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the fall of 1965. He did two tours in Vietnam as a gunner and pilot of helicopters. He was awarded medals and letters of accolades for his service in the military. He served his country well and was proud of what he did.
He worked for Burlington Northern Railroad as a brakeman in Gillette, WY for a few years. After that he worked in the oil fields around that area. Larry went on to perform millwright work in California and in Hines, OR at the largest pine mill in the U.S.
He married Jody Ronfeld who had two children, Kelly and Camron, whom he adopted. They divorced a few years later. Larry then went to work in Willamina, OR at Hampton Lumber Mill as a millwright. He was a certified welder. His last job before he retired was as a millwright at R&B Rubber in McMinnville, OR.
Larry loved to fly; he bought his own airplane and flew all over, including back to South Dakota to visit relatives. He spent retirement in Sheridan, OR, where he met his present wife, Sharon.
Larry was very good at whatever project he took on, from welding to cars to remodeling his home. Anyone who knew Larry was impressed by his knowledge and sense of humor. He was honest and respected people who respected him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Burke, and his mother, Dorothy Burke and his youngest brother, Loren Burke.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Sheridan, OR; his children Kelly and Camron Burke; and his brother LeRoy Burke of Aumsville, OR.
Graveside services were held November 12, 2024. Chapel of Macy and Son, McMinnville, OR was in charge of arrangements.