Johnny Wayne Burkey, of Coleman, devoted husband, father, and Paps, met his Lord and Savior Monday, September 4th, at his residence.
The family will host a visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. Family and friends are invited to a funeral service celebrating his life at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 7, 2023, at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Dean, pastor at North Coleman Baptist Church, officiating. A private family interment will follow in the Coleman City Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, in Coleman.
Johnny Wayne Burkey was born February 25, 1942, in El Reno, Oklahoma to Gus and Lorene Burkey. Johnny was one of eleven children born from this union. He is preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, and three brothers.
Upon moving to Coleman in 1951, Johnny attended Coleman schools until joining the Air Force in 1959. He proudly enlisted as soon as he was able and served his country for four years, working as a B52 mechanic during his tour. He rushed home to marry the love of his life, Martha Maroney in 1963. Together they shared 59 years of wedded bliss.
Johnny built his career at Coleman County Electric Cooperative, racking up thirty years underneath his climbing belt. There, he retired as line superintendent. His work ethic and pride in the trade remain present in all of those he had the opportunity to mentor. Johnny also served as a volunteer fireman for many years.
Johnny’s younger years were enjoyed by playing men’s softball, coaching Little League, and spending precious time with his family. Later on, he wholeheartedly took on the role of Paps.
Paps kept busy by chasing, wrestling, rocking, brushing, and napping with his babies. As his babies grew, his lap had to have grown too, because there was never a time or an age that he turned a kid away from sitting with him. He and Gan drove many, many miles to loudly cheer all of them on in all of their interests. Whether it was his intention or not, he was wildly successful in spoiling everyone that he loved.
Johnny was a member of the North Coleman Baptist Church. He loved God and his church family.
His rambunctious personality, hearty laugh, rough hands, and big hugs will be missed by all of those who knew and loved him.
Johnny is survived by his wife Martha, daughter Ronda Allen and husband Kevin of Coleman, son Clint Burkey and wife Michelle of Coleman, granddaughters Keva and husband Chase of Mozelle, Kenna Stevenson and husband Adam of Coleman, Kenley Castleberry and husband Kayden of Coleman, Adley Johnson of San Angelo, and grandsons Mason Burkey of San Angelo, Bowen Johnson and Hogan Johnson of College Station, and Gus Allen of Stephenville, and great-grandsons Amos and Hardy Stevenson. Also surviving are his sister Loretta Wildman, and brother, Ammol Burkey.
Memorials may be made to the Coleman County Youth Sports Complex, 312 S. Colorado, Coleman, Texas 76834, to the North Coleman Baptist Church P.O. Box 977, Coleman, Texas 76834, or the Theresa Edington Memorial Scholarship in his honor.
We invite you to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Burkey family by signing the virtual guestbook on Johnny’s tribute page at www.stevensfuneralhome.com. Stevens Funeral Home is honored to serve the Burkey family.
