Ronald Burkey

Ronald Harry Burkey, 82, of Kerrville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 13,2019. He was born in Yukon, Oklahoma to Gustav and Lorean (Slayton) Burkey on January 22, 1937. He married Andrea Burkey (McCrae) on May 8,1967 in Hampton, Virginia.\r\nA veteran serving one enlistment in the Air Force before enlisting in the Army where he spent 2 tours in Southeast Asia. Eventually retiring with 20 years of honorable service to his country. He worked for Mooney Aircraft for 10 years and later for the VA Hospital. After "retirement" he never stopped working. He was exceptionally strong, active, and giving, with a terrific sense of humor in even the most trying of times. Ronald enjoyed working with wood. He was always building things in his workshop and he was an avid fisherman. He would often meet up with his brother Ammol, who was also his best friend, for a fishing and camping trip.\r\nMoving from Charleston, SC to Kerrville in 1978 with his wife and three young girls, he has helped to create 30 native Texans. Ronald is preceeded in death by his parents, Gustav and Lorean Burkey, sisters Leta Gay, Doris Tyson, Betty Jean Galindo, Mildred Joanne Holmes, Priscilla Burkey, Frances Kay Olsen and brothers Carol Burkey and Donald Burkey.\r\nRonald is survived, loved and missed by his wife, Andrea Burkey, and daughters, Pamela Lopez, Cheryl Martinez (Robert), and Angela Cranford (Benjamin). Sister Loretta Wildman (Lee), and brothers Ammol Burkey of Lovington N.M. and Johnny Burkey (Martha) of Coleman, Texas. Ronald is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Kristin Maingot (John), Eric Martinez (Alexandra), Hailey Lopez, Benjamin Cranford (Abril), Austin Cranford, Heather Schroeder (Daniel), Kayla Cranford, Ian Lopez, Travis Cranford, Candace Martinez, Victoria Morris (Brandon), and Breeana Lopez. As well as 18 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Peterson Hospice for their support and would like to especially acknowledge the loving kindness of nurse Diane.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Grimes Funeral Chapels, Kerrville with Paul Krismantis officiating.\r\n\r\n\r\n