Kingsley E. “Bud” Burket, Jr., 75, of Largo, died July 12th at Largo Medical Center. He was born in Braddock, PA and came here in 1973 from Penn Hills, PA.
He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. He was the owner of Burket Painting, and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Bud was the Past Captain of the American Legion Post 252 Honor Guard and current Captain of VFW Post #9272 Honor Guard. Bud loved Las Vegas, his poodle “Aiden”, Joto’s Pizza, Christmas, vacations, his family, the Honor Guard and his only granddaughter “Madison.” Bud was a quiet, gentle soul, always ready to help.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne, to whom he was married 49 years. Also surviving are 2 sons, Keith Burket, Pinellas Park, FL and Kevin (Jodi) Burket, Lake Mary, FL. His sisters, Eileen Brown, of Ocala, FL and Kathleen Ford, Ft. Myers Beach, FL and his only granddaughter, Madison.
He will be buried with full military honors at Bay Pines National Cemetery on Thursday, July 30th at 10:45am.
Contributions can be made in his memory to Wounded Warriors, 4899 Belfort Rd, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Florida Poodle Rescue, PO Box 7336, St. Petersburg, FL 33734
Friends are invited to sign his guestbook and share a memory below.
Bud was a friend to all of us at Veterans Funeral Care. His service to the local veteran community will not be forgotten. One of the proudest Marines we ever met. We will miss you Bud.
Bud Burket was the picture of dedication to other vets. I remember great times at the “Honor Guard” fishing tournament, I would see him at the Post. I remember introducing him to the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Gene Overstreet. He was like a teenager. When we put together our new brochure, I wanted a picture of a Marines hands, in white gloves, handing a folded flag to a widow. Bud Burket was our “model” The last time I had quality time with Bud was dinner before hearing Marcus Luttrell speak in Tampa. We ate at Jimbo’s BBQ. Thank you for being my friend Bud and thanks for all you did for our veteran community.
Jim Rudolph
President
Veterans Funeral Care
I am so proud to call this man a friend. Also am proud to have been part of the honor guard. Bud was a great man who touched so many lives. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Fly high with the angels my friend.
All at Freedom Square will dearly miss Bud. He was our Honor Guard for the Resident Veterans, he was always there for us at pining ceremonies, flag ceremonies and most recently Memorial Day to honor Commander Phil Kirkwood after he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
He will always be loved and missed by us all.
Our deepest sympathies to his wife and family.
The Staff and Residents of The Inn at Freedom Square.
Sherdette Keefer
R.I.P. My friend. It’s been my pleasure to know a true MARINE all these years. MY condolences to Jeanne and the Kids
Semper Fi old friend and fellow jarhead I will miss the talks that we had in the past about old times in the corps, and guard the streets with the rest of the Marines.
RIP; Fellow Honer Guard member American Legion & MCL.
He was like a loving brother to me. A great leader of the Honor Guard and a great friend. However you are at peace now, Bud, with God to take care of you. Lyn and my condolences to Jeanne and the family
Bud led the honor guard on many occasions at our clubhouse. He was a nice man & will be missed by this whole community.
I am proud to say that I knew Bud Burket. He was an honorable and honest man, devoted to his family and his country. Bud has earned his place in heaven and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Rest well, my friend. Semper fi!
A quiet man with a sense of humor that was subtle but with a twinkle in his eye and smile on his face! A fellow Pittsburgher who could speak Pittsburghese. Your dedication to the Honor Guard was evident at every ceremony at the clubhouse. Bud, we will miss you, but we know you are standing guard and at peace.
ray and I will miss you here in vegas. we were glad that we had the time with you and jean. also the time we had at glenwood. you will be missed by all.
Bud was a true patriot. A gentle quiet man. He spent many hours at ceremonies for our veterans. We will dearly miss Bud.
Jeanne and Family,
It was with a heavy heart I received the email from George informing us of the passing of Bud. Never in my life have I ever knew anyone who exemplified being a U.S. Marine more than Bud. He allowed me to join his beloved Honor Guard and I was the proudest rookie he ever had. With his guidance, dedication, and attention to detail our Honor Guard at VFW 9272, Seminole, FL was the best in the area…. all thanks to Bud. We have truly lost a friend and Jeanne and the family have lost a bit of their heart. I can see Bud reporting to St. Peter with; “OK, rookie, let’s get this outfit in shape”. He was a hero, a colleague, and most of all, a friend. Love you, Bud. Our thoughts go out to Jeanne and family at this difficult time and wish them peace.
Jeanne and family, I wish to extend my sympathy for your loss. I was honored to know and have bud as a friend. may the sorrow that you feel somehow be comforted by the memories of all the years together that will be forever in your heart. god bless you all!
Duncan mcclain
Thank you Bud for your service in the military and in your community. It’s men like you that we as a country look up to, admire and respect for your courage and commitment. We also appreciate how you gave Aiden the wonderful life he could only dream of until you and Jeanne adopted him. God speed.
You are greatly missed by us dear friend. You were the best person ever. We always had many laughs when we went out together. Loved your quiet sense of humor. You went way too young , we did not have enough time to go places and laugh hard. You always looked great in your uniform. We all miss you, but will meet you again.
Our prayers and condolences to Jeanne, Keith , Kevin and all of the Burket family.
God Bless you Bud, you will be missed. We are sure that you are proudly standing in your Marine uniform at Heaven’s gate.
Sending Jeanie and family our Prayers and thoughts at this time of your Loss…Bud was a long time friend of our family…He and Jeanie are the God Parent’s to our Son Robert. My husband John and Bud worked together and were very close friends…You all will be in our hearts and prayers!!
Marlene
Bud was a “squared away” Marine. Our Honor Guards often crossed paths at Bay Pines. Many times, Bud and I referred funerals to one another when we could not handle the work load. We on occasion filled in for each other when our ranks were thin. He was a great guy, and will be remembered always. As long as he remains in our hearts, he will never truly be gone.
For Jeanne and the kids, please know that you are in our prayers, and in our hearts. I hope you can be strong, like the Marine you have lost.
SEMPER FI, my friend, from all of us in the PINELLAS COUNTY VETERANS COUNCIL HONOR GUARD.
Jeanne I know it will be an adjustment but Bud lived a wonderful
life to family and the Marines . You have been married to a wonderful decated man never forgetting his country.
Never got to know him but I think he knew who we were as renters,when we did see him to say hello.
May your family rest knowing all the wonderful things he did.
Eleanor and Harold
Growing up together in North Braddock, PA, Bud, Jeanne, and his sister, Kathy and I, had many memorable moments together, but the one that was a very memorable occasion was going to the prom together. After graduation, getting together for swimming at Kennywood Park and just having great fun together, enjoying each other’s company. It was great joy! We will miss this very honorable and gentle man!
Paul and Barb (Cole) Fisher
Suwanee, GA
to see the obituary of a hero and as a brother of all who knew him from scott high. I will always remember pushing him thru Epcot in a wheelchair many years ago. I’m sure Jean and Marilyn remember too.