Walter Burkhart Jr.

SHERMAN - Walter Burkhart, Jr., 79, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013 at Texoma Medical Center in Denison. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. The family will receive visitors from 6 -7:30 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2013 at Scoggins Funeral Home in Van Alstyne.

Walter was born Aug. 8, 1933 in Van Buren, Ark. to Walter Burkhart, Sr. and Sylvia Pinson Burkhart. He married Charlene Morris in Poteau, Okla. in 1957. She predeceased him on May 9, 2000. Walter's Career started in the 1960s in glass. His first job in the glass business started in Okmulgee, Okla. at American Saint Gobain Glass Factory. In 1964, Walter and his family moved to California where he would start a new job with Libby Owens Ford Glass Factory. It began a career with this company that would last for more than 30 years.

In 1968 Walt picked his family up and transferred to Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, also with Libby Owens Ford. In 1979 he and his family transferred to Sherman. He retired from Libby Owens Ford in 1997. He was a 33rd degree Mason. After retirement Walter's passion was spent restoring antique cars at his hobby shop in Sherman. There was nothing he loved more than spending time with his kid's and grandkids.

For nearly the past four years Walter resided at Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham. He suffered from dementia. Walter was extremely sweet natured and would always say "I love you" which became the only words that he could speak. He was able to speak those words even at the peak of his dementia. Walter "Walt" was known to many people as different things, he was known as mentor, long-time friend, brother, grandfather, uncle junior and most honored title, "Daddy." To his kids and grandkids he was the one person who could always solve our problems. We will miss him terrible until we are reunited one day.

Surviving are his two daughters, Kim Oliver and husband Roy, Kris Vaughan and husband Russell; granddaughters, Kristell Williams and husband Shannon, Kasee Mitchell, Laci Miller and husband Kerry, and Joleen Beckett; grandson, Perry Burkhart and wife Yuko; and 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Dixon of Garland, Jonnie Neal of Van Buren, Shirley Jack of Springdale, Ark.; and brother: Gary Burkhart of Springdale; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home, 637 W. Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne, 903-482-5225. You may sign the online guest book at www.scogginsfuneralhome.com.