James Ronald "Ron" Burkett

James Ronald Burkett was born March 11, 1941 in Norman, Oklahoma to Jesse and Wanda Burkett. He attended University High School where he ran track, played baseball and basketball, played trumpet in the band, and sang in the chorus. At the University of Oklahoma, he was a member of the Glee Club, joined Phi Kappa Sigma, and was an ROTC officer. He graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology ('63), a Masters ('65) and a PhD in Experimental Psychology ('71). He also received a post-doctoral degree in Public Science Policy from the University of New Mexico ('79). In 1962, while at OU, he met the love of his life, Jeri Mac Richardson, on a blind date, and they married on July 2nd, 1966.

Upon graduation, he entered the Air Force as a First Lieutenant and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Among Ron's many talents, he was a distinguished and decorated pistol marksman, and was a training officer at the shooting range on base. He transferred to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado in 1969 where he served as an active duty officer for four years, and then served as a Reserve Officer in Civil Service until his retirement as a Lt. Colonel in 1983.

In Denver, Ron and Mac became active members of the Dahlia Street Church of Christ where he served in numerous roles including as deacon, treasurer, and long-time song leader. He continued to lead singing at the local Church of Christ until just a few years ago.

When Ron retired from the Air Force and Civil Service in 1983, he went on to a career at Lockheed Martin as an Aerospace Engineer until his final retirement in 1997.

That same year, he and Mac moved to Durango, Colorado, where they resided until his death at the family's Wildorado Ranch.

Ron is survived by his wife Mac of 58 years; his son, James Evan Burkett and his wife Rachel; his daughter Kathryn (Kate) Shelby Willyard and her husband Brian; and his grandchildren, James Levi Burkett and Canaan Rose Burkett; and by his brother, Mark Burkett and his wife JoAnn.

He passed on August 30, 2024. A private graveside service will be held with the family at the Wildorado Ranch in Durango, Colorado.