Kevin Allen Burkhardt

Kevin Allen Burkhardt, 46, born in Houston TX on June 4, 1971, passed away on June 7, 2017 at 11:08pm surrounded by his Wife and Children. On May 24, 2016, Kevin started a yearlong battle against Esophageal Cancer and he fought with true endurance, laughter and jokes. Through the entire journey, he would always be the happiest face in the room and his humor never once faded. Kevin was indeed extremely strong and positive even until the last moment.

In June, 1989, Kevin enlisted in the U.S. Navy right after his high school graduation. He was stationed aboard the U.S.S. KITTYHAWK. He traveled to various ports aboard the ship, and had the memories to make jokes about. He served during the Desert Storm War. If you asked Kevin about his job, he would tell you humorously, “I push the button that sends a big boom on its way to you.”

Kevin met Kathryn in high school and were eventually wedded on June 16, 1990. They were blessed with two beautiful children - Ashley Renee, born March 26, 1993 and Matthew Ryan, born July 12, 1995. Through our lives as a family, we have met many people and made endless amounts of friends and memories together, mostly due to Kevin’s humor. He was always so giving and willing to go above and beyond to help anyone as much as he was able. He was honestly one of the most selfless individuals ever who was always giving even if there was no return and did whatever he could to help all those around him.

Kevin worked for Powell Industries for 14 years, first as an Engineer and then as an Estimator. He and his wife moved to Edmonton, AB, Canada for two and a half years to set up and train the Estimating department. Even as Kevin was fighting this dreaded disease, he continued to work, as much as he could. Many people were in awe as to the strength that he showed by continuing working and helping whoever needed help. For Kevin, it was one of few things that he could control and made him feel normal this past year. He loved going to work, seeing his friends and doing the best job he could.

Kevin was a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Gatekeeper Committee, prior to moving to Canada. He would tell everyone about how much fun he would have the nights that he attended. He would work in different locations within the HLSR compound and he knew that each night would be different.

Kevin has left his memories, jokes and laughter to be remembered by his loving wife of 26 years, Kathryn Elaine, his daughter - Ashley Renee, 24, his son - Matthew Ryan, 21, his parents - Brenda and Jim Beeler, Richard and Sue Burkhardt, as well as his brothers and their families, Brian and Chencha Burkhardt, Scott and Suzy Beeler, Shannon and Jennifer Beeler, Kyle and Jessica Beeler, Bryan Potts, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. He also leaves his memories and humor to his many friends that he made throughout his life through school to work and of course his puppies, Sammie, Sailor and his baby dog, Sweetie.

The family would like to say thank you for all the prayers, calls and texts that were sent to them this past year. Thank you also to the Doctors and Nurses at MD Anderson, Main and the Sugar Land campus, for giving us this last year to make even more memories that will last a lifetime.