Obituary for Glen Burkhalter

Glen Edward Burkhalter

November 27, 1933 – March 24, 2024

Glen Edward Burkhalter, the second child of Othar Kennedy (O.K.) and Lillie Irene (McCormack) Burkhalter, was born on November 27, 1933, on a farm south of Mangum, OK in Jackson County. Glen passed in Enid, OK on March 24, 2024 at the age of 90.

Glen graduated as Valedictorian from Lake Creek High School, northwest of Granite, OK in May of 1951. Upon graduation, Glen attended Southwestern Oklahoma State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

In February of 1954, he joined the United States Air Force. Basic Training was completed in May of 1954 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred to Amarillo Air Force Base, Amarillo, Texas, where he completed an Aircraft and Engine Maintenance Course on the B-47, medium bomber. Because of his excellent grades, Glen was asked to become an instructor on the B-47, and remain at Amarillo Air Force Base. While serving at Amarillo Air Force Base, Glen joined Hamlet Baptist Church, where he met his bride-to be, Charlene Sue Stone. They were married on September 12, 1957.

When he returned to Base after the wedding, he was told because all American military services were encountering an excess of enlisted men, he could choose between re-enlistment or an early release. Not planning on a military career, he was released from Active Duty in October 1957. He remained on Inactive Duty until February of 1962, when he received an Honorable Discharge.

While living in Texas, Glen and Sue became the parents of two sons, Randall Wayne and Phillip Glen and one daughter, Janice Claire. During this time, he worked as a carpenter with his father-in-law, JT Stone.

It was during the early family years that Glen entered the gospel ministry, pastoring Baptist Churches in Wellington and Amarillo, Texas and several years later in Carter, OK.

In July 1964, Glen and Sue moved to Granite, Oklahoma, where he worked with his father at Burkhalter’s Propane. Two years late a second daughter, Karen Sue was born.

While at Granite, Glen was active in the American Legion, serving as Post Commander of the Granite Post for a number of years. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing old ballads, hymns and several song he had written. He and Sue were members of the Southwest Oklahoma Writers League. He enjoyed writing poetry, short articles, Prophecy Updates, and as “Mr. Sue” for the Mangum Star newspaper.

In the fall of 2016, Glen and Sue moved to Blackwell. Shortly after this move, Sue’s health declined and she was admitted to a long-term care facility. Glen was faithful to visit and spent almost all day, every day with Sue. Glen and Sue shared over 62 years of marriage.

Glen was preceded in death by: his parents; son – Phillip Burkhalter; son-in-law – Jeff Krehbiel; grandson-in-law – Kelly Groves; great grandchild – Millie Hukill; sister – Claudine Litton; three brothers-in-law – Clarence Litton, George Miller, and Jimmie Loper; and sister-in-law – Martha Forsman.

Glen is survived by: son – Randall (Pam) Burkhalter of Blackwell; daughter-in-law – Donna Burkhalter of Ft. Supply; two daughters – Janice (Larry) Johnson of Hunter, and Karen Krehbiel (Terry) Dodson of Hydro; six grandchildren – Lindsay Burkhalter of Ponca City, Wesley (Jenny) Burkhalter of Allen, TX, Robert (Christy) Burkhalter of Valdosta, GA, Betsy Groves of Kremlin, Ryan (Molly) Johnson of Hunter, Brittany (Logan) Hukill of Hydro; nine great grandchildren – Delaney Icke, Stefinee, Camrin, Jasey and Charly Groves, Abigail Burkhalter, Phillip Burkhalter, Myers and Burks Hukill; Siblings – Kenneth (Jean) Burkhalter of Mangum and Betty Miller of Helotes, TX, Sue’s siblings – Clarissa Loper of Blue Springs, MO and John Forsman of Tallahassee, FL, and a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services for Glen will be at Abundant Life Church, Mangum, OK on Friday, March 29, 2024 with family visitation from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, funeral service at 2:00 pm interment to follow at Rock Cemetery, Granite, OK.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Rock Cemetery, PO Box 241, Granite, OK 73547. Please mark your donation in memory of Glen Burkhalter.