Eugene "Gene" Burkhalter, age 91, of Gordo, AL died July 27, 2019 at Hospice of West Alabama. Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dave Bailey and Rev. Paul Prickett officiating. Burial will follow in Hargrove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was Monday July 29, 2019 from 6 - 8 pm at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Leon Burkhalter.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Trudie White Burkhalter of Gordo, AL; four sons,
Ken Burkhalter (Jo) of Northport, AL, Sam Burkhalter (Pam) of Tuscaloosa, AL, Ron Burkhalter (Sally) of Greenville, SC and Steve Burkhalter (Angie) of Fortaleza, Brazil; fifteen grandchildren, Chris Burkhalter, Nathan Burkhalter, Lydia Hoffpauir (Cody), Corey Burkhalter (Allie), Elizabeth
Mitchell (Hunt), Joel Burkhalter, Amelia Zuniga (David), Curtis Burkhalter (Jemima), Caleb Burkhalter (Irlanne), Ben Burkhalter, Joshua Burkhalter, Dylan Burkhalter, Lucas Burkhalter, Meredith Cureton (Justin) and Meagan Underwood; ten great-grandchildren, Brooke Burkhalter, Sophie Mitchell, Luke Hoffpauir, Jackson Mitchell, Landon Hoffpauir, Ohana Burkhalter, Stevie Underwood, Joseph Cureton, Joaquim Burkhalter and Loren Hoffpauir; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Burkhalter and Frances Prickett; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Jimmy and Candy Oglesby.
Mr. Burkhalter was born July 7, 1928 to the late Johnnie Wilson Burkhalter and Essie Herring Burkhalter. He graduated Gordo High School in 1947 and was a lifetime member of Hargrove United Methodist Church. Gene retired from Westinghouse Electric with 32 years of service and was the Coraglass Plant manager from start up in 1989 until his retirement. He was Director of the Pickens Co. Water Authority's first Board in 1975 and became Chairman in 1993 serving the Board faithfully for 43 years. Gene was the recipient of the 2006 Gordo Area Chamber of Commerce Pioneer of the Year Award and the 2014 Cecil Robertson Memorial Award. He was Charter member of the Lions Club, a member of the Gordo Senior Activities Center and a freelance photographer; capturing community activities for 75 years.
His grandsons will serve as Pallbearers.