Dwight “Doc” Burkhard

Dwight “Doc” Burkhard passed away peacefully on February 17, 2022 at UT Southwestern Hospital in Dallas, Texas after fighting a courageous 17-month battle with leukemia. He was 67 years old at the time of his passing.

Doc was born on August 15, 1954 in Chicago, Ill., the second of five children born to Dr. George and Barbara (Campbell) Burkhard. His parents relocated the family to Tecumseh, Mich. where he graduated from Tecumseh High School with the class of 1972. Doc had a wanderlust for adventure that took him to the mountains of Colorado where he met his future bride, Kerri McKay Bell, at a men’s softball game. They were married in Boulder, Colo. on April 30, 1983 and their beautiful, enduring love story began. They truly brought out the best in one another. Their union strengthened and sustained them and their family through multiple jobs in various locations, including Orange County, Calif., Steamboat Springs, Colo., Tecumseh and Mansfield, Texas.

Doc will be remembered most for his love of family. He loved his wife dearly and knew he was a better man for having her join him on this journey of life. Their greatest pride and joy in life were their four sons. Doc relished being a father and took seriously his responsibility to provide for, teach, coach and mentor each one of them. He instilled in his children the value of education and was proud that all four of his sons were college graduates, with his oldest son graduating before Doc received his own college degree in 2001. Doc shared his love of all sports with his sons, especially his love of Michigan teams, including the University of Michigan Wolverines, the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. Doc was thrilled to expand his family in October, 2021 when Jordan married Sarah, giving him a beloved daughter to cherish. He was fiercely determined and this was never more evident than in his fight against leukemia; he fought the good fight until he took his final breath. His sweet sense of humor, precious smile and sometimes smirk, kindness to all and gentleness of spirit will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.

Those surviving to mourn Doc’s passing include his wife of 38 years, Kerri; sons, Joshua and Jordan (Sarah) Burkhard of Arlington, Texas and twin sons, Nicholas Burkhard of Corsicana, Texas and Zachary Burkhard of Huntsville, Texas. He also leaves behind his siblings, including Mark (Lee Ann) Burkhard of Tecumseh; Deborah Hiatt of Amarillo, Texas; Beth Burkhard (Edward) Yeary of Clinton, Mich.; Julie Burkhard (Kevin) Hinckley of Tecumseh; as well as his brother-in-law, Scott Bell of Winston, Ore.; and, sister-in-law, Daurie Maher (Pete) of Cypress, Calif. Doc is survived by numerous nieces and nephews scattered throughout the United States. His loving and faithful fur-baby companions, Jax, Ellie and Oscar will certainly miss the treats and peanut butter toast Doc shared with them. He was preceded in death by both his and Kerri’s parents.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. If you would like to extend your condolences to the family, please do so through this email address: eby97@aol.com.