Allan Joseph Burk

After years of suffering from early onset dementia, Allan Joseph Burk passed away in the early morning hours of November 2, 2022, at Chancellor Gardens.  His quick smile and kind nature will be missed by his family and friends, but we are grateful that he is reunited with his beloved wife and freed from the mortal afflictions he has faced.

 

Allan was born in Los Angeles, California on February 29, 1956, to Jerry Kenneth Burk and Linda Ruth Metcalf. He was proud to be a leap year baby and loved to remind his peers that he was only ¼ their age. He was the oldest of their five children.

 

Allan graduated from Davis High School in 1973. He enjoyed sports, especially baseball and bowling, and spent many happy hours at Davis Lanes perfecting his “wicked” curve ball.  He often talked about working with his father in his shop. He married Julia Anne Swenson in 1974.  Three years later, had their first child Heidi.  Then, in 1980, had their son Cory.  Their matrimony lasted until 1982.

 

In 1990, Allan married the love of his life, Valerie Jo Hall Page, and later was sealed to her in the Ogden, Utah Temple. He affectionately called her "Petunia". They built a life together with his two children and her five sons.  They lovingly took care of each other until Valerie’s passing in 2013.

 

Allan faced significant health challenges throughout his life. He was diagnosed in junior high with Type 1 diabetes which he had to manage throughout his life.  At the age of 23, Allan suffered a heart attack during a baseball game and was in a coma for a time. This health crisis impacted the rest of his life.  Then in his mid-50s, he was diagnosed with early onset frontal lobe dementia.  Despite these trials, Allan faced life with a smile and a song in his heart. He loved the music of the 60s and 70s and could sing the lyrics to many of them even in the later stages of his life. “Stairway to Heaven” was one of his favorites!  He loved fishing and has asked that a fishing pole be placed in his casket, so he is ready for the perfect fishing hole.  He and his wife spent many days with their small camper in the mountains finding good fishing.

 

Allan loved his children and grandchildren.  He loved attending their events at school whether it was a sporting event or a band concert.  Allan enjoyed playing sports and any other activities kids wanted to play as he was always a child at heart and in spirit.

 

When their children were grown and gone, Allan and Valerie began bowling again and bowled in leagues for many years before her passing.  Then, her brother, Gary, stepped in and became his bowling partner for several years until Allan was no longer physically able to bowl. They had a weekly dinner at Taco Time and bowling. Allan was one of those bowlers who actually achieved a perfect game of 300.

 

He grew to be a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served with his wife for many years as church librarians where he especially enjoyed talking to ward members each week as they came in for supplies. He enjoyed serving as a home teacher prior to the time when his health made that impossible.

 

Since the passing of his beloved wife, Allan has been a resident at the memory care unit of Chancellor Gardens, with additional support from the staff of Symbii Home Health and Hospice.  The family so appreciated the dedicated care and love that the team of these two agencies have provided to Allan over the past nine years. They cared for him like family and learned to love his sense of humor and love for life.  They also kept him well-supplied with Diet Coke!

 

Allan is survived by his children:  Heidi Jo Burk Richards (Jarred) and Cory Burk (Cindy), his stepsons, Matthew Page (Amanda), Bryon Page (Leslie), Christopher Page (Jennifer), Nathan Page (Cynthia), and Johnathan Page (Jordan); and a combined total of 19 grandchildren. 

 

Allan was preceded in death by his wife, Valerie; his parents, Jerry Kenneth Burk and Linda Ruth Metcalf; and all four of his siblings, Christy, Steve, Jerry, and Kara.

 

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 4, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 South 2000 West, Syracuse, Utah.  Friends may visit family Friday just prior to the services from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. also at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary.

Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.

 

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of Allan’s obituary page.

 

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