Craig Lawrence Burkhard

Craig Lawrence Burkhard passed away of natural causes on July 10, 2026, at HCA Brandon hospital. He was born on January 9, 1955, in Tampa. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank Lawrence Burkhard and Eloise June Burkhard, his brother Frank David Burkhard, and his partner Charles "Porky" Fleming. He is survived by his husband Anthony Moe, sister Kathy Lynn Noble (brother-in-law Robert Noble), niece Jessica Lynn Perez, sister-in-law Sue Cottrell (brother-in-law Rich Cottrell), Lindsay Latimer (lifelong protégée), sister-in-law Diane Burkhard, several cousins and a plethora of good lifetime friends and coworkers that he considered as his extended family. He was of the Baptist faith.

Craig was a graduate of King High School class of 1973 and obtained his advanced degrees from the University of South Florida in early childhood education, art and administration. During his over 50-year career in education he excelled as an elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal for Hillsborough County Schools. He was associated with numerous schools including Mort Elementary, Thonotosassa Elementary, Wimauma Elementary, Kingswood Elementary and Hillsborough Community College as a mentor teacher and most recently as the Director of the teacher certification program.

Craig was widely known for his lifelong passion for horses and was the proud owner of Canal Ridge Farms, where he devoted decades to breeding, raising, and showing exceptional horses. Over nearly six decades, he proudly campaigned numerous accomplished show horses, including Triangles Sweet Bandera (ApHC), Plain Jane Doe (AQHA), Wagoners Mint Joker (AQHA), and All In My Pocket (APHA). Through Canal Ridge Farms, he operated a respected breeding program featuring several offspring of one of his favorite APHA sires, All Time Fancy. Craig also served on the Board of Directors for the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and the American Tobiano Horse Association (ATHA), giving generously of his time and expertise to the equine community he loved.

In addition to his horses, Craig and Tony adopted several Dobermans, and his favorite was Sophia.

Craig enjoyed gardening and creating yard art sculptures of many kinds of plants and he was especially fond of succulents. He often hosted what he called a "gathering of friends" for his southern cooking and Tony's delicious desserts.

Craig was a generous soul and he left us very unexpectedly,but as per his wishes he was an organ donor and he ultimately gave three individuals the chance of life.

There will be a Celebration of Life and Remembrance for Craig on August 22, 2026, at Hillsborough Community College Brandon in the auditorium starting at 2:00 pm.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Dobie Ranch Rescue Inc., or the Florida Color Horse Club school scholarship program.