Howard Burkett

Howard took leave of this earthly existence on June 12, 2024 by slipping away peacefully in his sleep.

He was born in Culver City, CA to the late Howard Leo Burkett and Effa LuRee Wiese Burkett on August 7, 1930. Howard graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School. He was Senior Class President and lettered in Gymnastics, "B" football, and track. He served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1952 as Basic Training Instructor and Senior Firefighter (Station Chief at Hospital Fire House).

In 1958 he contracted polio and had to use a wheelchair for 65 years but did not let that keep him from living a full life. He was a wheelchair bowler from 1964 to 1982 having reached AWBA finals four times, National Wheelchair Games Champ in 1964, and first AWBA member to bowl 600 in 1964. In the 1964 Wheelchair Olympics in Japan he won one gold medal and two silver medals in swimming and his team won the gold medal in basketball.

He retired as a Film Technician from the Motion Picture Industry and his second career was as Sales and Service manager for two major wheelchair lift manufacturers. He also had his own sideline business of selling and installing mobility adaptive equipment.

Howard was an inspiration to family and friends, a mentor to many other disabled individuals, and was positive about what he could do despite the physical challenges and pain he endured.

His hobbies included wood working, playing pool at the Senior Center, reading, working crossword puzzles, watching old movies, Westerns, old musicals, and he loved Jeopardy! He played the part of the team owner in the production of Damn Yankees at the Civic Theatre several years ago. In 2002 Howard and Jane each carried the Olympic flame as the relay came through Spokane on its way to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Faithful and loving husband of 46 years to Jane, father to Linda and Steve (Pam) Burkett and stepfather to Jim Larsen, Debbi Davenport, and Jeff Larsen, he was also grandfather to Ryan, Stephanie, Merissa, Kayle, Shelby, Francy, Michael and Marji and great-grandfather to Cail, Cash, Paxton, Quinn, Noah, Micah and Haley. He was a great story teller and will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Memorial gifts may be made to: North Hill Christian Church, 4620 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99205 or The American Heart Association.