Don died on Wednesday, after 100 years of life, in his own home under the loving care of his family at the house he built with his father’s help some 70 years ago in Roeland Park, KS. Born in La Harpe, KS, Don spent most of his childhood in Iola, KS where he had several fond memories. He was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father Erma May Watson Burkett and William L. Burkett, as well as his sister Jean Burkett Gaskell, brother Warren Dale, daughter-in-law Amy Bernstein Burkett and the love of his life, wife Helen “Betty” Elizabeth Houston Burkett, who died in 2012. He met Helen at an ice cream shop, no surprise there, and made what would become the best decision of his life when he asked to walk her home. They were married on June 14, 1942 at her home in Rosedale, KCK and would enjoy 70 years of loving marriage. Don was very proud of his military service, having served in WWII (1940-1945) in New Guinea with the 124th Station Hospital and the Philippines. After the war, his career involved several efforts, including work for the V.A. in KC, owning his own service station, Burkett Conoco in Overland Park, and he spent his later years as a postal carrier leading up to his retirement in the late 1970’s. Along with the house, Don and Betty’s family is their legacy and they were beloved by all. Don is survived by his daughter Helen Patricia Stempski and her husband Frank (San Jose, CA), son Donald Jr. and his wife Geraldine (Sydney, Australia), son David and his wife Iley (Overland Park, KS), as well as 5 grandchildren, Rebecca Stempski McMahon, her husband Bob McMahon, Jennifer Stempski Burkett, David Kyle Burkett, Curtis Burkett, his wife Kristen Scott Burkett, and Phillip Burkett, plus 5 great grandchildren, Clara, Chris, Megan, Will and Austin. Don attended All Souls Unitarian Church with his wife for several decades. He will be remembered for his sly sense of humor, his loving nature, his patience, his generosity and his smile, as well as the time his entire family got to spend with him in the years leading up to his death.