LARRY BURKE

LARRY BURKE Larry K. Burke, 86, Lawrence, KS, formerly of Dodge City, died on August 7, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born April 16, 1939, the son of Harrison and Margie (Curtis) Burke. Larry's parents moved to Dodge City, KS, in 1940. He went to school there, graduating from Dodge City Senior High in 1957. He was active in athletics, lettering in track and football. In 1956, his mile relay team set the school record for that event, a record which stood for seventeen years. Larry went on to attend the University of Kansas and graduated with a degree in history. During his time at KU, he was an active member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate through Army R.O.T.C. and accepted a Regular Army Commission as a second lieutenant. Larry went into active duty in May of 1962. On February 11, 1962, he married the love of his life, Sonja Christine Hampton, in Oskaloosa, Kansas, after which they embarked on a six and a half year Army adventure. They were stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, for three years, Fort Benning, Georgia, for one year, and Fort Knox, Kentucky, for one year. Larry served in Vietnam from 1966-1967. Larry was a graduate of the Army's Airborne course in 1965 and finished second in his Ranger training class in 1966. He was an Honor Graduate of the nine month Infantry Officers Career Course, and while a student there, won the General George C. Marshall Award for Excellence in Professional Writing. His article was published in Infantry Magazine in September, 1966. While serving in Vietnam with the Army's famed First Infantry Division, he was a rifle company commander and staff officer with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry and was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" for heroism, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" for heroism, six Air Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Larry and Sonja left the Army in August, 1968 to return to Dodge City, where he entered into the family shoe business with his father and brother, Richard. He also taught history part time at Dodge City Community College. After eighteen years in business, he accepted a full time teaching position at DCCC as Professor of History, a job he absolutely loved. He went on to earn his Master's Degree in History from Fort Hays State University. He was named a Master Teacher by the College of Education of the University of Texas at Austin, and won the Distinguished Faculty Award from DCCC in 2000. While chairing the Campus Beautification Committee, he raised $44,000 on his own initiative for the planting of trees and other campus beautification projects. He retired from teaching in 2012 and was inducted into the DCCC Hall of Fame for outstanding career achievement in April 2016. Larry was inducted into the KU Army R.O.T.C. Jayhawk Battalion Wall of Fame in October 2019. After he and Sonja moved to Lawrence in their retirement, he taught classes for the Osher Institute at KU. A skilled writer and lecturer, he made numerous presentations at historical conferences around the country. He wrote multiple book reviews for the Journal of Military History, wrote a prize winning short story based on his Vietnam experience, which won the best short story award for the Kansas Authors Club and for Kansas Voices. He also gave numerous talks around the state for the Speakers Bureau of the Kansas Humanities Council. Larry and Sonja were members of the Dodge City First United Methodist Church and its Keystone Sunday School class, where lifelong friendships were formed. He was active in civic affairs and served on a number of boards of directors, including the board of the Dodge City Public Library for many years, the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, DCCC Foundation, Kansas Association of Historians, Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City Country Club, and Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce. Larry loved his wife Sonja, his family, reading, tennis, sailing, and morning coffee with his beloved buddies. He was a loyal KU alumnus and fervent fan of KU athletics. He was a dedicated KU football fan, holding season tickets and traveling to games since 1968. He adored his 8 grandchildren, spending many summer nights with them in the hammock of his and Mimi's backyard, telling stories that will be forever cherished. Survivors include Sonja, his beloved wife of 63 years, who was with him through thick and thin, two daughters, Kelly Davis and husband Brad of Overland Park, Kisa Nichols Miller and husband Robert of Baldwin City, and son Beau and wife Jennifer of Castle Rock, Colorado, eight grandchildren, Anna (Kane), Ryan (Maggie), Quinn, Andrew, Allison, Megan, Kate, and Jameson, and one great grandson, Frank. He is also survived by his sister, Linda Burke Goff and husband Greg, sisters and brothers-in-law Georgia Burke, Barbara Kelley, Buzz and Suzie Hampton, Debbie and Steve Finley, 14 nieces and nephews, and a host of cherished friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison and Margie Burke, and his brother, Richard Burke. Memorial Services with military honors will be Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Dodge City at 10:00 AM, with inurnment at Kansas Veterans Cemetery at Fort Dodge following the church service. The family suggests memorials to the Dodge City Public Library or to the Dodge City Community College Foundation. Barnett Family Funeral Home of Oskaloosa and Swaim Funeral Home of Dodge City is assisting the family with arrangements. Thoughts and memories may be shared online at barnettfamily.com or swaimfuneralhome.com