Bennie Odell Burkhalter, 76, of Lumberton, passed peacefully Friday, December 9, 2011, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born September 18, 1935, in Greggton, Texas, to Clarise Weaver Burkhalter and Benjamin Calhoun Burkhalter.
Odell moved his family to Lumberton in August of 1965 from Longview. He watched the town grow over those years to the city it has become today. Odell moved to the area to accept a job with Beaumont Motor Company where he worked from 1965-1977. He then worked at Keating Chevrolet from 1977-1981; Morris Moore Chevrolet from 1982-1989; and then Allison Chevrolet where he retired in 1997.
Odell attended First Baptist Church of Lumberton with his wife, Virginia. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and bowling. Over the years he won numerous trophies in bowling. He also enjoyed working on cars and he was a great craftsman as well. But what Odell loved the most was his wife, Virginia, and his family. He loved watching his two sons and his seven grandchildren play football for the Lumberton Raiders. Odell greatly enjoyed the two playoff years for the Raiders in 2007 and 2008, as he had a grandson that played those two years.
Odell, Daddy, or Papaw as he was known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will be very dearly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his loving wife of fifty-six years, Virginia Eleanor (Jones) Burkhalter; children, Kenny Burkhalter and his wife, Kathy of Lumberton; Denise Prine and her husband, Burlee of Evadale, Brad Burkhalter and his wife, Dawn, and Theresa Perry McKnight and her husband, Eddie all of Lumberton; sister, Pearlola Atkinson of Brilliant, Alabama, and Sharon Taach and her husband, Rusty of Las Vegas, Nevada; nine grandchildren, who loved and adored their Papaw, Kevin Burkhalter, Brandy Lawrence, Justin Rutledge, Klint Burkhalter, Chris Lawrence, Jeremy Perry, Katie Tucker, Matthew Burkhalter and Zachary Burkhalter all of Lumberton; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarise and Ben Burkhalter; sisters, Margie Willett, Marianne Burkhalter, and Rosemary Burkhalter; and his brother, Glen Burkhalter.
His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at First Baptist Church of Lumberton, 119 Church Loop, Lumberton, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at Broussard’s.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bodo Brauer and the staff at Harbor Hospice, who brought him peace and comfort for the short time he was there.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Burkhalter may be made to: First Baptist Church of Lumberton, 119 Church Loop, Lumberton, Texas 77657.
