Larry Skee Burkes

Larry Skee Burkes, 80, of Paducah, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 25, 2025. Born to Skee and Reba Burkes on September 15, 1945, in Matador, Texas, Larry grew up with his brother, Morris, in and around Matador, completing high school in 1965 and joining the U.S. Army in January 1966. He proudly served in the 589th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam. Larry married Willita Palmer on June 27, 1969, in Roaring Springs, Texas, where he was brought into the fold of Willita’s large family. Her siblings became more than Larry’s in-laws–they were his brothers and sisters too, for 56 years. Larry and Lita made their home on ranches near Silverton and at Claremont before settling near East Afton on the E. E. Moss & Sons Redlake Ranch, which Larry managed for 27 years. In 2003, they moved to their own land and home near Paducah, where they raised cattle, sheep, and beloved stock dogs, as members of the community and ranching for themselves. Along the way, Larry read and studied and learned incessantly, committing to memory anything that would help him further achieve his goals, teaching others what he learned, and earning him the nickname of “Professor.” He had the ability to turn any hobby into a money-making venture, from hunting coyotes and selling the hides, to golfing and making custom clubs, to raising and training border collies. Larry was a lifetime member of the America Border Collie Association, the Texas Sheepdog Association, and the West Texas Stock Dog Association, serving as president of the latter; he earned multiple Dogs of the Year awards, plus many buckles, trophies, and plaques, as well as competing and placing at the National Cattle Dog championships several years. He never met a stranger, striking up conversations with anyone and everyone he encountered. His teasing was always good-natured, yet he was fiercely competitive in dominos and other games of strategy. Larry’s steadfast faith was always evident wherever he went and he loved engaging in conversations with others on matters of faith and the Bible. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Paducah. Larry is lovingly remembered by his wife, Willita; his daughter, Angela, and grandson, Burkes Kissire, of Sonora; his sisters- and brothers-in-law: Veda (Jerry) Hunt of Midland; JoAnn (Jim) Charles of Devil’s Lake, North Dakota; Clarence (Mary) Allen of Madison, Missouri; Tommy (Nancy) Palmer of Lubbock; James (Linda) Allen of Pampa, Becky Jewkes of League City, Shelley (Allen) Durham of Shallowater; and Linda (Arnold) Parker of Aurora; his double nephew and niece, Jeffrey (Diane) Burkes of Lubbock and Natalie (Darren) Waddell of Temecula, California, and an assortment of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Morris; and his great-nephew Skee. Services will be at First Baptist Church in Paducah on Thursday October 30th at 1:00 PM with interment at Matador Cemetery following. Pallbearers will be Larry’s grandson and nephews; honorary pallbearers will be family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated: Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79105-9985.