Gary Burkhart, age 86, died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at his home in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born on August 3, 1938, in Newton, Kansas, the son of George and Ethel (Francis) Burkhart.

Gary grew up in Augusta where he graduated high school. He furthered his education at Wichita State University, Missouri State and received his master’s degree in School Administration and Psychology from Emporia State University. He moved to Ulysses in 1963. He touched many lives as a Ulysses High School teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and School Psychologist. Gary also drove the school activity bus and served as a coach. He retired as Director of High Plains Educational Cooperative in 1999. Not one to sit around, he then drove a milk truck for Western Dairy Transport. Gary always owned a Harley Davidson motorcycle and enjoyed riding as much as he could. Gary married Bonnie Jean Slifer on August 14, 1966, in El Dorado, Kansas.

Gary is survived by sons, Darren Burkhart and wife, Lisa of Bakersfield, California, Dustin Burkhart and wife, Katie of El Dorado, Kansas, and Cory Burkhart and wife, Kourtney of Goddard, Kansas; sister, Kolene Luper of Augusta, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Noah, Evan, Sadie, Sophia, Sarah, Hope, Medaris, Kerigan, and Lainie; and seven great-grandchildren, Karter, Kendall, Kymbre, Chandler, Adria, Ezra and Cleo.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, George and Ethel; and wife, Bonnie in 2021.
  
Funeral service will be Monday, May 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home with Mike Anderson officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Graveside service will be Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Marion Cemetery in Marion, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to Caterpillars and Butterflies at Ulysses Church of Christ in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave., Ulysses, Kansas 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.