LARRY BURKETT  February 26, 1947 - July 17, 2007

1975:  625 S. Dodge, Iowa City, IA

1985: 117A Mason Street, Fort Huachuca, AZ

Larry Burkett, 60, of Olympia, Washington, died from cancer on Tuesday, July 17 surrounded by family. The born-and-raised Iowan will be honored with a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 5th at Lensing's Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road in Coralville. The family will greet friends from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. Burial with full military honors will follow the memorial service at Unity Cemetery in rural Johnson County.

Born on February 26, 1947 in Iowa City to Daryl and Lila Burkett, Larry lived more during his sixty years than most people would in 120. A star baseball player, Larry was recruited to play for the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league team after graduating from Iowa City High School in 1965. He was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War soon after and surpassed his obligations by re-enlisting for a second tour.

Following Vietnam, Larry, a graduate of the UI, remained in the military and aced Officer Candidate School, as well as Ranger and Airborne infantry training, and enjoyed a highly decorated military career as an army intelligence officer that took him and his family around the world. He retired from the army in 1995 as a major in the elite Special Forces after serving his country for 25 years. Not long after "retirement,” he began working with the Olympia Police Department, where he served as the ranger master for nine years, training officers and other personnel in gun use and safety.

A contrast of adjectives, Larry epitomized strength yet was innately sensitive; possessed natural charisma as well as endearing foibles; was simultaneously intelligent yet silly, worldly and sophisticated yet down-to-earth and self-deprecating; and was equally comfortable talking politics with ambassadors as he was giggling over The Simpsons with his kids.

Larry was a best friend to his wife and a hero to his kids. He will forever remain in the hearts of those he's survived by, including his lifelong love Kristine Burkett, a former Iowa City resident currently living in Olympia, Wash.; his children Matt, Kelly and Shayne, also in Washington; his father Daryl of Juneau, Wis.; siblings Patty McNichol of Iowa City and Steve Burkett of Richmond, Ind.; and scores of friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lila Burkett, in 2000.