Larry D. Burger

Lawrence (Larry) D. Burger, 85, of Ft. Wayne, Indiana passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at the Heritage Park care facility. He was born in Muncie, Indiana to parents Emogene "Jean" (Hays) and Roy C. Burger on January 20, 1940. The family moved to Ft. Wayne in the early 1950s. Larry attended North Side High School, where he excelled in art and was also in the marching band. He graduated in 1958 with a scholarship to the Ft. Wayne Art School, then located on West Berry St. He studied there for a year and a half. Also during his teenage years, he obtained his pilot's license, having worked many hours at Smith Field Airport in order to obtain the necessary flying time. He enlisted in the 5th U.S. Army Reserves in August 1960 and was a rifle marksman in the 13th Artillery Unit. He was released in August 1966. His first meaningful position was as an announcer and disc jockey at radio station WTRC which serves the South Bend, Indiana area. His favorite music genre was the Big Band sound. At work, he met Linda Braun, whom he later married. The couple moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Larry was employed by radio station WEMP for several years. They had two sons, John W., born in 1970 and James E., born in 1975. Other occupations Larry had while living in Milwaukee were a business restoring and refinishing furniture, as well as a couple of factory jobs, including Appleton Electric of Milwaukee. Larry and Linda were divorced in 1977. In the mid 1980s, Larry returned to live in Ft. Wayne; he was in business doing architectural renderings. In 1994, Larry went to a truck driving school in Rantoul, Illinois operated by J. B. Hunt and was employed as an over-the-road semi driver for twelve years. During this time, he was with his domestic partner, Kay Baughman, and they lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan for a few years. In 2000, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where they spent winters in their vacation home and summers in Ft Wayne. Larry retired in 2006 and was rewarded by J.B. Hunt as having driven a million miles without an accident during his employment. In 2021, Larry and Kay sold their property in Phoenix and moved permanently back to Ft. Wayne. Larry was predeceased by his parents, Jean and Roy Burger; an aunt, Mary Ellen Hays; an uncle, Garner Hays and wife, Lois. He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Kay Baughman of Ft. Wayne, sons John (Susie) Burger of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Jim (Jessie) Burger of North Fort Myers, Florida, as well as a cousin, Jeff (Maureen) Hays, residents of Indianapolis. Larry was known for his steady, friendly personality and his delightful sense of humor. He had a life-long interest in aviation; his main hobby was studying, designing and building his own model airplanes. He enjoyed experimenting and flying them, especially with friends and family. Arrangements by D. O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.