December 16, 1932 – January 19, 2019
Danny Joseph Burkard, age 86, passed away peacefully Saturday January 19, 2019 in his home in Highland Village, Texas. He was born in Dallas December 16, 1932, to Edward Raymond and Willie Mable Burkard. Danny was raised on a farm near Rowlett and graduated from Garland High School in 1950 and Texas A&M University in 1954.
Danny married Mary Francis Irvin of Rockwall on December 31, 1954.
He entered the US Army becoming a Signal Corps officer and aviator. Danny served at various posts in the US, Germany, South Korea and Greenland. In addition, he served during the Vietnam War as a helicopter pilot. Danny graduated from the US Armyʼs Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth and earned an MBA from the University of Georgia. He later graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair in Washington, DC. Danny was a company and battalion commander rising to the rank of full Colonel. Working in numerous aviation, command and administrative positions he finished his career in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, retiring in the Washington, DC, area after 26 years of active duty.
Later, Danny and Mary moved back to Texas to be near family, settling in Highland Village. A devout Catholic, Danny turned his attention to helping men incarcerated in the Denton County prison system where he administered to their spiritual and emotional needs for over 20 years and his impact was immeasurable. He quietly led by example to a level that is hard to achieve.
Danny was devoted to his family and supported the raising of his grandchildren and great grandson. Danny was also very involved in the community through St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Highland Shores neighborhood committees and his investment, bridge and poker clubs.
Preceded in death by his parents Edward and Mabel Burkard, his brother, Billy and son, Stephen, Danny is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; son, Michael (Chris) Burkard and daughters, Ann Mitchell, Karen Burkard and Susan Baxter; grandchildren, Michael Burkard, Jr., Matthew Mitchell, Margaret Dutton, Nicholas Mitchell, Isabeau Mikulastik, Colton Mikulastik, Alexander Baxter and Allison Baxter; and great grandson, Charlie Dutton.
A mass and memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at 1 p.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 1897 West Main Street in Lewisville.
Our family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Elysian Hospice and Home Instead. If desired, friends may make donations in Dannyʼs memory to his good friend Father Real (Joe) Corriveau, OMI, in care of Oblate Foreign Missions, 60 Wayman Street, PO box 9088 Lowell, MA 01852-9088. Those donations will be channeled to Father Corriveauʼs life-long work in Haiti.