Troy Paul Burckhalter

Troy P. Burckhalter, age 92, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026 at the Iris Memory Care in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was born on November 28, 1933 in Texola, Oklahoma, to Sammie and Irene (Aulbert) Burckhalter. He had one older brother, Buck, and two younger sisters, Fern and Kaye.

As a child, his parents and brother fled to California in the mid-1930s during the devastation of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. He lived in California for a short time and then returned to western Oklahoma. He attended school in Sweetwater, Oklahoma. In his early adult years, he worked on oil and gas drilling rigs from Oklahoma to Montana. He joined the U.S. Department of Army where he served in Korea. After active duty, he spent 5 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He met Donna Sudheimer, from Dixon, Missouri, while he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. They fell in love, married in December, 1955, and enjoyed being together for over 65 years. Both Troy and Donna worked in St. Louis, Missouri, for a short time and then returned to Dixon where they both obtained civilian positions at Ft. Leonard Wood. Troy worked as a Supervisory Heavy Equipment Mechanic for the Department of Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, where he retired in 1980.

Troy enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, water skiing, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. Troy and Donna loved traveling around the country. They especially liked to travel to south Texas during the winter months where they fished, cooked-out, and made many friends.

Troy was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents, Sammie and Irene; his older brother, Buck, and a younger sister, Fern. He is survived by his daughters, Angela Burckhalter and her husband James Allard, and Paula Burckhalter, and sister, Kaye Hopkins all of Oklahoma City. He leaves behind many close friends from the Springfield, Missouri area, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Private family graveside services will be held on June 3 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road, Springfield, MO 65804. Please note in the memo section of the check the funds are in memory of Troy Burckhalter. If you have questions, contact the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 417-823-3944.