David Wallace Burkett passed away on April 26, 2024. He was born in Marshall, TX on May 20, 1953. He moved to his parents’ and grandparents’ hometown of Huntsville a few years later and lived there for the rest of his life.
He was a 1971 graduate of Huntsville High School where he enjoyed playing football all four years for Coach Tom Owen and was awarded the “Boy of the Year Award” by the Kiwanis Key Club. David received a business degree from Auburn University in 1976. He was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Following graduation, he joined the family business, Burkett School Supply (est. 1957) where he served as President until 2010. He was a member of various organizations over the years, including Quarterback Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Kiwanis Club. He was a very active volunteer and board member for the Elks Club and also enjoyed volunteering at Panoply, where he served as fireworks chairman. David loved Auburn football. In recent years, he participated at Rock Steady Boxing, a wonderful program for Parkinson’s patients.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas William and Ann Wall Burkett. He is survived by his son, Bryan Thomas Burkett; sisters, Leslie Cagle (Steve) and Jeanie Collins (David); aunts, Rebecca Wall and Jean Lemley; and his niece, nephews and many cousins.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the supportive volunteers at Rock Steady Boxing and to all of his wonderful caregivers. A special thank you to Shaina for providing so much love and care. Also, thank you to his friend, Jim Bragg, who visited him every Sunday for almost three years and to his friends, George, Warren, Randall and the many other frequent visitors.
Visitation will be Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at First United Methodist Church followed by the service in the chapel.
Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Dynamics (formerly Rock Steady Boxing Rocket City) at P. O. Box 2440 Huntsville, AL 35804 or to the Elk’s Club.
