Obituary for Richard Burge

Richard Leo Burge, long-time resident of Ponca City, passed away on Jan. 1, 2015, at Ponca City Medical Center. He was 89.

A prayer service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at Trout Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Ponca City. Burial will follow at the Newkirk Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory. Richard was born October 24, 1925, in McPherson, KS, to Baltzell and Regina (Mans) Burge. He was the youngest of four children with three older sisters, all deceased. Richard was raised in the "family built" home in Kildare on the land staked during the Cherokee Strip Land Run. He attended school in Kildare and Ponca City, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1943.

Beginning in 1944, he served in the infantry Army as a private in World War II (Europe) and stayed for the occupation in Vienna before being honorably discharged in 1946. He served in the inactive reserves until 1949 when he was called to active duty in the Korean War and served until he was honorably discharged in 1952. In between wars, he worked for a short time in California for Douglas Air before returning to Ponca City in 1948 and began working at Cities Service. After his service in Korea, he returned to Ponca City and was reemployed with Cities Service, which later became Gulf Oil, Sequoia Oil and then Conoco. He worked in several positions over the years in the Ponca City refinery until his retirement from Conoco in May 1985.

He married Betty Jane Itrich on Aug. 2, 1952, at St. Mary’s Church in Ponca City and remained as an active member of the church. Together, they raised five children while enjoying their many activities. Before his eyesight was impaired, some of Richard’s favorite past times were traveling, camping, dancing and playing cards with family and friends. He continued to enjoy watching/listening to a good football game and political discussions. His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Moose Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Janie, of 62 years. Children Joe Burge, Ceci Myers, Janel Godbehere and husband Danny, and Bruce Burge, all of Ponca City; Tammy Hudnall and husband Ron of Bartlesville, OK. Grandchildren and great grandchildren are Mandy Farmer, husband Jimmy, and son Reed; Rachel Myers; Hallie Godbehere and son Blevin Summers; Carlie Sixkiller, husband Steven and daughters Mercedes and Rayven, all of Ponca City; Dru Hudnall and fiancé Christina Gonzalez of Houston, TX; Todd Hudnall, wife Heather, and children Kissondra, Allexus, Connor and Riley, of Bentonville, AR.

He was predeceased by his parents and three sisters: Floreine Burge, Mary (Burge) Stolhand and Helen Burge.

Honorary casket bearers will be Ron Hudnall, Dru Hudnall, Danny Godbehere, Steven Sixkiller, Jimmy Farmer and Raymond Stolhand.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Richard Burge to a charity organization of your choice.

Source: Trout Funeral Home