Michael Ray Burkeybile

Michael Ray Burkeybile, 73, of Macon, MO, passed away November 5, 2023, at his home in Macon surrounded by family. Mike was born August 16,1950, in Omaha Nebraska, the son of William and Eva Burkeybile. He was raised on a farm near Spickard, MO, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and training horses.
In high school he enjoyed playing football and farming with his parents. Mike won the state livestock farming award in 1968. He served as the vice-president of the Princeton FFA Chapter, sub-district President, and as a member of state soils, parliamentary procedures, and meats teams. He was the Missouri State Vice President for the Northwest District of FFA his senior year. He attended Missouri Boys State and was the valedictorian of the Princeton High School class of 1968. He attended Trenton Junior College after graduating high school, then transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia.
He was a member of Alpha Zeta, an agriculture fraternity, the MU Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture, and Alpha Tau Alpha, a National Professional Honorary Agricultural Education Organization, while attending the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mike was also a proud member of the GDI.
After graduating from MU, class of 1972, Mike was a member of the MU Alumni Association.
Professionally, Mike was a successful businessman and retired from agriculture sales. He was a member of the Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow, served on the Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Board, for the Missouri Agricultural Industries Council, and served on the Governor's Advisory Council on Agriculture. He served as Board Chair for the Certified Crop Advisor Program in conjunction with the American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops, and Soils. He earned many accolades from his work in sales.
A long time resident of Macon, Mike has been involved locally in several ways, including, President of Macon Jaycees, Athletic Director for Macon Jaycees sports program, President of the Macon Baseball Association, coached numerous baseball teams, Esteemed Lecturing Knight for Macon Elk Lodge, Captain of the Boy Scouts fundraising team, Missouri Association of Realtors, and committee chairman coordinating efforts to get new Christmas decorations for downtown Macon.
He was an avid Macon and Mizzou Tiger fan and long time contributor to the MU Tiger Scholarship Fund. For many, many years Mike hosted one of the best tailgates outside Faurot Field. He was a member of the MU Jefferson Club and the Deans Club for the College of Agriculture Foundation. He also enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball.
Mike made the most of his life by earning his private pilots license, earning his real estate license, snow skiing, golfing, scuba diving, skydiving, and traveling around the world. He enjoyed learning about the food and culture and found beauty in landscapes where he visited, taking many pictures, and sharing lots of stories.
He enjoyed cooking food for his family and friends, going for pontoon rides on Long Branch Lake, and taking family canoe trips.
He was a member of "The Dozen", a group bound by an immense camaraderie, meeting monthly and taking trips for over 40 years.
Mike spent a lot of time at his second home near Cancun, Mexico. As a member of the Mid Missouri Scuba Diving Team, Mike has logged hours of scuba diving in many countries, including Mexico, Panama, Belize, Curacao, Honduras, and Bonaire.
He adored his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren as his own. He always ended visits with his grandkids with, "you know what? I love you! and you know what else.I love you!" He would tell his daughter in laws how great of moms they were and thanked them for loving his sons.
Mike is survived by his longtime partner, Shonda Wood, of Macon, MO, and her two sons,
Nathan Calhoun, and his children, Olivia, Harrison, and Finley, of Atlanta, MO; Kale Calhoun and Anna, and their children, Kohen and Klayton of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Two sons, son Matthew R. Burkeybile and his wife Alyson and their two children, Ainsley and Max, of Apollo Beach, FL; and son, Drew M. Burkeybile and his wife Tiffany and their two children, Weston and Evelyn of Richmond, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eva Burkeybile.
Memorial service will be 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Hutton and McElwain Funeral Home in Macon, MO, with Bro. Matt Stieger officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 pm, Thursday evening, until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in the Half Rock Cemetery east of Spickard, MO. The family suggests memorial contributions to MU College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources or the Alzheimer's Association.