Frank Allen Burkhalter

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Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church
9921 Sylvan Hills Hwy
North Little Rock, AR  72120
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
10:00 A.M.
Cemetery
Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery
1501 Maryland Avenue
North Little Rock,, AR  72120
Memorial Contributions
Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church
9921 Sylvan Hills Hwy
North Little Rock, AR  72120


Orange Beach United Methodist Church
28751 Canal Rd
Orange Beach, AL  36561
Frank Allen BurkhalterI am a Veteran.

of Orange Beach, AL/Sherwood, AR

August 21, 1925 - October 23, 2014

Frank Allen Burkhalter, 89, of Sherwood passed away in Orange Beach, Alabama on October 23, 2014. He was born August 21, 1925 in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

He is survived by his wife, Loyce Ann; five children: Carol Ann McFarland, George Ann Tabor, John Collins Burkhalter, Nancy Kaye Hayden, and Patricia Lynne Hausman; nine grandchildren: Scott McFarland, Whitney Sanders, Ashley Hayden, Jonathan Ryan Hausman, James Allen Hausman, Johnna Kay Burkhalter, Anna Grace Burkhalter, Button Mann, and Charlie Tabor; and three great-grandchildren: Thomas Tabor, Ryleigh Tabor, and Gabe Mann.

As a boy, he learned to work with his hands building houses, growing plants, camping, and fishing. He was an Eagle Scout and later served as Cub Scout and Boy Scout scoutmaster while raising his family in Sylvan Hills, Arkansas.

He served in the Pacific theater on a PT boat during World War II. After the war, he attended Arkansas Tech University. He went on to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

He was a registered land surveyor and licensed professional engineer. He was a structural engineer for the Little Rock District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, working on major infrastructure projects in the 1950's, 60's and 70's including Beaver Dam, Greers Ferry Dam, Table Rock Dam, the Titan missile sites, the Arkansas River navigation project, and the bridges on Lake Norfork. He worked his way up to chief of the structural department. He designed and built runways, taxiways, hangars, and other structures at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville.

He was active in the United Methodist Church. He was a founding member of the Branson (Missouri) United Methodist Church and the Orange Beach (Alabama) United Methodist Church. He was a trustee and served on the building committees for Sylvan Hills United Methodist and Orange Beach United Methodist Church.

Frank loved to grow things: vegetables, roses, fruit trees, azaleas, and the camellias he fell in love with. His yard in Orange Beach contains over 200 varieties of camellias, many of them award winners. He spread his love of these flowers and plants all over Orange Beach.

He enjoyed building things and was an accomplished carpenter. He built the home his family was raised in, his retirement home in Alabama, and a home in northern Arkansas for his daughter. He built kitchens, furniture, and many other things for his children.

He fished, hunted, played golf and taught his family to enjoy these activities with him. He enjoyed the lakes and rivers in Arkansas, but once he saw the Gulf of Mexico he knew he wanted to retire there and enjoy gulf fishing.

He enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He camped with his family all over the United States, and he was always watching or listening to a game. He was a Razorback, St. Louis Cardinals, and Atlanta Braves fan. He enjoyed attending his children's choir, band, scouting, and sporting events.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 28, at 10:00 A.M. at Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church at 9921 Arkansas 107, Sherwood, AR 72120, (501)835-3410, with interment following at 12:00 P.M. at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 W. Maryland Ave., North Little Rock, AR 72120. Arrangements are in the care of Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116, (501)791-7400.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, 9921 Arkansas 107, Sherwood, AR 72120, (501)835-3410 or Orange Beach United Methodist Church, 28751 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, AL 36561, (251)981-6751

Sign Guestbook

16 Condolence(s)
Carol Collins
Nashville, TN
Liked
Monday, November 3, 2014

Dearest Nancy: My thoughts, heart and prayers have been with you since I heard the news about Frank. I have truly understood how difficult these days have been for you and your family and have held all of you close as I've prayed for strength for each of you. I'm so glad your Mom is going to be with you for a while and pray your time together will be sweet and comforting for both of you.

Much love, Carol

Charles and Anne Allen
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, November 3, 2014

John, Penny and Family, We are keeping each of you in our thoughts and prayers ~ daily. We would have loved to have known your Dad! He led such a full and rich life!!
Your faith, your family, and your friends are your sources of peace, comfort, and support. With our love, Charles and Anne

Brenda Turner
Little Rock,
Liked
Sunday, November 2, 2014

My. Mother clearly remembers your father. My Father, James Turner, worked right along with him. We were all so close and had each other's best interest at heart. He will always be remembered.

Gene and Frances Ross
Prescott, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Our prayers are with the family in their loss. We only met Mr. and Mrs. Burkhalter one time, but found them to be very nice and loved their family deeply. We send our love.

Guy Carr
Deerfield Beach, FL
Liked
Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Sorry to see Dad's Passing. HE will always be missed. God Bless Mom and the girls. Miss you all

Paul N. Revis
Conway, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Dear Family Members,
What a great legacy Frank leaves and most of all is how much he cherished you. I knew him when we were working as structural engineers for the Corps of Engineers in the early 60's. He attacked every task with all of his energy.

It is never easy to see a loved one go on before us but his was a life well lived--may God Bless you in this time of mourning..

Paul N. Revis

Vickie Edmonston Ramsey
Heber Springs,
Liked
Tuesday, October 28, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Burkhalter's family at this time. He was of the Greatest Generation and his legacy lives on. He is missed, but he has gone ahead and awaits the glorious reunion!

Julie Baldridge
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 28, 2014

John,
I am sorry to read you and your family lost your father. His obituary was inspiring and gave me insight into the source of your strength of character. I'm thankful you had him in your life for so long. God bless you and yours.

Jim & Gloria Summerlin
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, October 28, 2014

John: You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I didn't know him well, but I knew him well enough to know what a good man, father and engineer he was.

God Bless

Jim & Gloria Summerlin

Richard Dickinson
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, October 27, 2014

Sorry to hear about Frank's passing. As a young engineer I worked for Frank in the Structures Section back in the 60s while we designing the Arkansas River project. I enjoyed those section fishing trips we made. Recently I found some of Frank's favorite fishing lures, the H&H, in an old tackle box. Of course they were all melted together from age. That was a long time ago and I've been retired now for over twenty years but I will always treasure those years and remember Frank.

Donna McElroy-Jones
Jacksonville, AR
Liked
Monday, October 27, 2014

Nancy -
I just wanted to sent my condolences for the loss of your dad. To have lived 89 years is such a wonderful legacy. I will keep you and your family in my daily prayers. My you be blessed with encouragement, comfort, and strength during this time of sorrow. God bless you all.

David and Jo Langston
Beebe,
Liked
Monday, October 27, 2014

Please know our thoughts are with you.

Chip Hammans
Fayetteville, AR
Liked
Monday, October 27, 2014

Nancy,
So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. It always sounded like you had such a wonderful life as a child. I know you will miss your Dad. Hope you are well and happy otherwise. Cling to your family.
Best wishes,
Chip Hammans

Bill Harris
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, October 26, 2014

John,
I will always remember visiting with your Dad when I went to see my Dad at work. He was a great man that will be truly missed. He leaves a great legacy. God bless all of your family.
Bill Harris.

Dick & Maggie Musselman
Orange Beach, AL
Liked
Sunday, October 26, 2014

We are stunned and saddened by the news that Frank has died. He and Dick worked together on various church projects at Orange Beach United Methodist and Dick thoroughly enjoyed Frank's company, especially his sense of humor. We enjoyed their presence at church worship when they were able to attend, and visits to their home on occasion in recent years. We want Loyce Ann and their children to know that we think of Frank as a great guy and he will be missed. Our sympathies to the entire family.

Burton R. Knotts
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, October 26, 2014

Frank and I worked in the Design Branch, COE, from 1958 through 1958. He was a very good structural engineer, and was well liked by all who worked with him or for him. I pray that his soul will now rest in peace, and that God will console and comfort his family during this stressful time.