Michael Wynn Burk

On October 3, 2024, Michael Wynn Burk ¨Mike¨, of Lubbock, Texas, passed from this earthly life to his eternal home prepared by Jesus. He was born in Lubbock on October 2, 1952, to Newell and Fara Burk. He grew up in Floydada as the middle child and the only son. He graduated from Floydada High School in 1971, and found lots of success in athletics, having set a state record for the mile relay and earning a scholarship to Abilene Christian University to play football. He was part of the NAIA Division II National Championship team in 1973, and remained close friends with many of his teammates for the rest of his life. He married his high school sweetheart and next-door neighbor Karen Ann Miller in 1974, and graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1976. They moved to Lubbock to begin a career with Lubbock Independent School District where he served as OL Slaton Middle Schoolś Industrial Technology teacher for 39 years and also as the robotics coach for the last 12 of those years. He earned a Masterś Degree from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1988. In 1994 when Karen, a lifelong diabetic, fell ill with kidney failure, Mike became a living kidney donor, matching her 4 for 6 DNA antigens for a match the doctors said was a 1 in 4,000,000 chance on the first try. He was active in his church, South Plains Church of Christ, and served as a deacon and as head of the Missions Committee for 11 years. Much of his joy, though, came from all the things related to being Dad to his son Shane. From Boy Scouting to church activities to missions trips and travel, Mike and his son were inseparable, save for a few short occasions. After Shane married Lori, their children Claire and Elliott then became the lights of Mikeś life, and he and Karen enjoyed a close relationship with Shane, Lori and the kids. He always loved watching them learn and grow the same way he did for his students in school. He retired from teaching to care for Karen when she fell ill in 2014 until she preceded him in death in 2020 after 46 years of marriage. In his time teaching, he touched over 6,000 young lives, not to mention colleagues. Mike then met Sherry McDuff at church. The two hit it off and fell in love, marrying in 2022. He was a real man--tough when necessary, tender when needed, and he truly modeled what it means to prioritize family and serve God.

He is preceded in death by his parents Newell and Fara, and a brother-in-law, Larry Bruns. He is survived by his wife Sherry McDuff Burk, of Lubbock; his son Shane and daughter-in-love Lori; grandchildren, Claire (15) & Elliott (12); two sisters, Janet Bruns of Abilene and Nanette Soto (& Leslie) of Lubbock; nieces and nephews Jimmy Lee (& Mari) of El Paso, Michael Lee (& Tracy) of Abilene, Gina Lindsey (& Bobby) of Abilene, and Matt Soto of Houston; stepchildren Sarah McDuff of Lubbock, Jeffrey McDuff (& Rachel) of Lubbock, John (7), Caitlin McDuff of Lubbock and Mia Sanchez (2), Lauren Weibe (& Larry) of Seminole, Clint McDuff of Lubbock, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins.

Visitation will be at Resthaven Funeral Home on Friday, October 11 from 5:00 - 7:00. Services will be at South Plains Church of Christ on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 with graveside immediately following.

Serving as pallbearers are Gary Blunt, Matt Soto, Michael Kent Lee, Jimmy Lee, Leslie Soto, Bobby Lindsey, Elliott Burk, Pat Miller, Jeffrey McDuff and John McDuff.