Jere Lynn Burkhart

Jere Lynn Burkhart (90) of Lubbock, Texas passed away April 15, 2026. Jere Lynn was born in Colorado City on January 29th, 1936, to Faye Irwin and A.G. (Jimmie) Irwin. She graduated from High School in Hamlin, Texas and married her high school sweetheart, James Loyd Burkhart. She is survived by her husband of 74 years. She was a devoted mother to her 3 children Mike (Susan) Burkhart, Keith (Melanie) Burkhart, and Jamie (John) Hunt and her 6 grandsons and 3 great-grandchildren. Also survived by her brother Boyce (Margaret) Irwin and her sister Andrea (Shelby) Bell as well as, generations of nieces and nephews.

She co-founded the Sitton-Burkhart Reading Room in the Texas Tech College of Education in honor of her mother who was a Tech graduate and elementary school teacher for 24 years. Her passion for education has led to numerous scholarships for deserving students. Jere Lynn was an avid Texas Tech fan!

Jere Lynn and Jim raised their autistic grandson Collin from the age of 2, which motivated them to help others with the same condition. This resulted in the development of the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research at Texas Tech University and later the development of the Faulkner University Autism Center in Montgomery, Alabama. For these achievements, she was bestowed the degree of Doctorate of Humane Letters from both universities.

Visitation will be held at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd St., Lubbock, TX 79424, US, on April 22, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Kent Hance Chapel, 2521 17th street, Lubbock, TX 79409, US, on April 23, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to the Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research. Online gifts can be made at www.give.ttu.edu/jerelynn

Checks can be made payable to the

Texas Tech Foundation, Inc

Attn: Financial Services

PO Box 45025

Lubbock, TX 79409