James Burkhart

James Burkhart

Funeral services for Ozarks artist James Burkhart, 78, of Gainesville, Mo. will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2011, in the First Christian Church in Gainesville. Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 27, in Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.

Mr. Burkhart died October 25 in Gainesville. He was born October 15, 1933, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Harry and Edna May Scott Burkhart. He joined the National Guard while in high school then left school to serve with the Navy during the Korean Conflict, finishing school in Council Bluffs after his discharge.

On August 8, 1958, in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Boomer Township, Iowa, he married Donna Christoffersen. They moved to Kansas City, where he attended the Art Institute.

After his 1963 graduation, he was a commercial artist in Kansas City and later in Springfield. Friends introduced the Burkharts to Ozark County, and in 1968 they moved to a home they bought there on Bryant Creek. Mr. Burkhart supported his family solely through his art and developed a following throughout the Midwest.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Tawny King and husband Scott, Bucyrus, Kan.; a son, Cory Alexander Burkhart and wife Jeanne; four grandchildren, Quinlan and Tristan King, Joel and Ben Burkhart.

His parents and one brother preceded him in death.

Burial will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Boomer Township, Iowa at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2011.

Memorial contributions may be made to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093.

Online condolences may be left at www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.