Ralph Burdette

Ralph Lynn Burdette, age 93, of Kahoka Missouri, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka MO. He was proud of being able to live by himself at his home in Kahoka until February 11, 2019 when he entered the nursing home.

Ralph was born July 14, 1925 in Ft. Madison, Iowa to Marvin Hoyt and Vera Vivian (Yowell) Burdette. He grew up and lived most of his childhood years in Revere, MO, living with his Grandpa and Grandma Yowell.

Ralph never married, but had lived with Hillis and Freda Lucas since 1946, helping them run Lucas Garage in Revere, MO, ran a bus business (contracting busses for Revere School), and helping raise their five children (whom he considered his family) .

Ralph was known around Clark County for his daily drives thru the county in his brown Ford 150 truck, which everyone knew. He had been a mechanic his entire life. He was good for a story or a "corny joke", and was always ready with a helping hand. He was known for his ability to sharpen a chain saw or weld just about anything. His favorite outings were to Harbor Freight (there wasn’t a tool that he didn’t like and need to buy) and to Golden Corral.

He proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII on the USS Sigbee. His ship was hit April 14, 1945 by a kamikaze plane off Okinawa, killing 23 sailors.

His survivors are: Donald (Skye) Lucas, Ft. Madison, Iowa; Bonita "Suzie" Clark, Blue Springs, MO; Norita (Gary) Clemenson, Farmington Iowa; Arveta (Steve) Freitag, Andover, MN; Billy’s wife, Sandy Lucas; as well as their nine children and their grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by Hillis and Freda Lucas and their son Billy Lucas; his parents; and his brothers, Darrell and Gene Burdette.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Jamey Stout officiating.

Inurnment with Military Rites will follow in the Kahoka Cemetery.

Friends may call at Wilson Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2019 with family receiving friends from 1 to 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date.

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