John Wyatt Burkhart

John Wyatt Burkhart

October 13, 1933 – October 26, 2022

John Wyatt Burkhart, age 89, of Lexington, North Carolina, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 26, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at three o’clock on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Beck’s Reformed Church of Lexington, North Carolina, with pastors Paul Perkins and Mark Rachels officiating and Rick Leonard as guest speaker. The body will lie in state from two o’clock to three o’clock before the service. The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home on Friday, October 28, 2022, from six o’clock – eight o’clock.

Mr. Burkhart was born on October 13, 1933, in Davidson County, to Roy Hill Burkhart and Minnie Younts Burkhart. He spent his life years working as a carpenter, a farmer, and serving his church and his community. John loved his church by serving as a deacon, an elder, and a trustee. He also served on the cemetery committee. John was a member of the Men’s Bible Class and especially enjoyed cooking and selling BBQ shoulders for the class’s yearly fundraiser. From 1958 to 1980, he volunteered at the Central Fire Department and was named Fire Fighter of the Year in 1980. John served his country in Korea for two years. He was a sports fan. John cheered for the Atlanta Braves and the NC State Wolfpack. During the MLB and the NCAA basketball seasons, he stayed glued to the TV cheering on his teams. John also enjoyed playing church softball and volleyball until he said, “he was too old to play with the young boys!”

John was preceded in death by his parents and eight of his ten siblings: Gladys Clodfelter, Clarence Burkhart, Lloyd Burkhart, Raymond Burkhart, Franklin Burkhart, Ralph Burkhart, Paul Burkhart, and his twin brother, Joe Burkhart.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 67 years, Margaret Beck Burkhart of the home, two daughters, Susan Burkhart Ward (Chip) of Inman, South Carolina, and Joni Burkhart Mills (Ralph) of Lexington, North Carolina; five grandchildren, John Zachary Ward (Kendall), Ashley Mills Leonard (Jeremy), Morgan Ward Blount (Rob), Emily Mills Frank (Chaz), and Adam Alexander Mills (Lindsay); and one great-granddaughter, Harper Elizabeth Leonard. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Jean Burkhart Shoaf and sisters-in-law, Imogene Burkhart and Jane Burkhart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Beck’s Reformed Church Cemetery Fund

2845 Beck’s Church Road

Lexington, NC 27292

Hospice of Davidson County

200 Hospice Way

Lexington, NC 27292