Celebration of Life services for Joe B. Burkham will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in the First Baptist Church in Hugo, OK with Rev. Doug McClure, Rev. Dick McClure and Charles Wibben officiating. Burial will follow at the Spencerville Cemetery in Spencerville, OK. Joe went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Hugo, OK at the age of 83.
Joe B. Burkham was born on January 22, 1930, in Valliant, OK, the son of Edgar and Laura (Taylor) Burkham. Joe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1951-1953. He married Irma Sue Deaton on June 6, 1953, in Prosser, Washington. Joe Burkham was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hugo, OK. He and his wife Irma were members of the Circle Eight square dance club of Hugo. Joe was a welder all his life and retired as the welding instructor at Kiamichi Vo-Tech in 1990. At home he worked as a rancher and really enjoyed bailing hay. He loved his family very much and enjoyed doing things for them.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of fifty-five years, Irma Sue Burkham; two sisters, Lawan Scott, and Aileen Burkham.
Joe is survived by two sons, Allen Burkham and wife Nona of Rattan, OK, Donald Burkham of Rattan, OK; two daughters, Pam Graham and husband Steve of Sawyer, OK, Kathy Sturm and husband Larry of Sawyer, OK; ten grandchildren, David Burkham, Adam Burkham, Lori Gray, Andrea Sinyama, Shonda Rankin, Cheri Newton, Cody Sturm, Eric Graham, Jenna McCarty and Kalyn Burkham; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Debbie Azlin and husband Ronnie of Hugo, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family will receive friends Friday, August 2, 2013, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Hugo, OK.
Family and friends are also invited to sign the guest book or send private condolences to the family at www.praterlampton.com.
