Kenneth E. Burkhead Sr., 90, Kansas City, MO, passed away July 29, 2019. A Memorial Visitation is from 9:30-10:30 AM, with the Rite of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 3rd at St. Patrick Catholic Church; inurnment will be in Resurrection North Cemetery.
Kenneth was born July 15, 1929 in Kansas City, MO the son of Clifton and Mabel Burkhead. He married Dorothy F. Wenski on July 16, 1955. She preceded him in death. His brother Clifton and wife, Carlene, and a great grandson Lincoln Burkhead, also preceded him in death. He was a graduate of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. He began work for the Kansas City Department of Public Works as Senior Draftsman on Aug. 1, 1951; transferred to the Dept. of Public Health on April 7, 1958, where he served as a Public Health Engineer; and transferred to the Water Department on Dec. 9, 1962 where he first served as Assistant Chief Engineer. Mr. Burkhead served as the Chief Engineer for the Trans-Missouri River Tunnel Project; and also served as the Chief Engineer for the construction of the Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plants; and was named Chief of the Department in February 1993. He retired Dec. 31, 1993. He dedicated 42 years and 5 months to the City of Kansas City.
Survivors include sons; Ken Burkhead Jr. and wife Cheryl, Berryton, KS, and Nick Burkhead and wife Carrie, Houston, TX; daughter Katrina White and husband Rick, Kansas City, MO ; brothers, Carl Burkhead and wife Joyce, Lawrence, KS and John Burkhead and wife Cynthia, Florence, AL; sisters, Eleanor Burkhead, Arvada, CO and Mary Hull, Buckhannon, WV; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Kenneth was an avid hunter and enjoyed playing a good game of chess with his grandkids.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice and American Heart Association.
