David Perry Burkley

1933 - 2025

David Perry Burkley

February 20, 1933 - March 11, 2025

David Perry Burkley passed away on March 11, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on February 20, 1933, in Omaha, Nebraska. The youngest of three brothers, he was preceded in death by his parents Robert Wickham Burkley and Martha Ri Bradford and brothers Alfred Vincent Burkley and Bradford Owen Burkley.

Dad is survived by the love of his life, our mother, Carol Ruth Welch, whom he adored and cherished every day of his life. Together, they raised the six of us: Joe, Jeff, Matt, Polly, Amy, and Meghan. He was also a grandfather to 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought him immense joy.

Dad's journey was shaped by his deep faith in God, love of learning, and unwavering commitment to service. In 1949, he left Omaha to attend St. Benedict's Seminary in Louisiana, where he spent three years before earning an Associate of Arts degree. He then continued his studies at the Seminaire de Philosophie at the University of Montreal, graduating magna cum laude with a PhB in 1954.

He later attended Theological College at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., to study theology but ultimately realized his true calling lay elsewhere. Returning to Omaha, he spent time at Boystown as a counselor while reflecting on his next steps. He eventually pursued medicine at Creighton University, completing two years of pre-med studies before entering Creighton Medical School in 1960.

During this time, Dad met Mom on a blind date, and on May 4, 1963, he married the one true love of his life. He completed his Pediatrics residency in Birmingham, Alabama, earning his board certification, followed by a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at National Jewish Hospital from 1967 to 1969.

Dad's medical career led him to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he and Mom raised all six of us. He was a devoted and compassionate physician who touched countless lives through his work. Even after retiring, his passion for healing never fadedhe spent seven years on annual medical missions to Mexico City, finding deep fulfillment in caring for those in need.

If there is one word that best describes Dad, it is honorable. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith, humility, intelligence, and deep love for his family. His humor was too great to ever bottle up. His daily reading of The Far Side was a source of endless laughter for him and all who knew him. The sound of his laughter at even the silliest jokes will forever be a cherished memory for us all. Even in his final weeks, his warmth and humor never left him. He was surrounded and cared for by Mom and all of us, just as he had cared for us throughout his life.

A Requiem Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church, 2708 S 24th St in Omaha NE 68108 on May 10, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 7710 W Center Rd.