Kenneth Dean Burch passed peacefully on a quiet evening in Moccasin, Arizona on September 17, 2022. His family had surrounded him in the previous few days.
Ken was born October 7, 1938 in Winslow, Arizona to Barney Lee and Julia May Mannering Burch.
Ken and his family moved to Fredonia, Arizona when his father obtained employment with the Arizona Highway Department. Ken grew up there. He attended elementary and high school and loved the friends he made there.
After graduation he worked at various jobs but especially enjoyed being a cowboy and working at various places in Northern Arizona.
On July 1, 1960 he married Marilyn Ruth Brown of Moccasin, Arizona in the St. George Temple. After their marriage he worked at Kaibab Industries for a short time then went to work in Page, Arizona helping build houses for Arizona Highway Department. He transferred to the survey crew eventually causing a move to Flagstaff and Williams, Arizona. He eventually returned to his beloved Fredonia and once again worked for Kaibab Industries and later worked for Tour West Inc. Operating Tour West became a total family affair with help from his wife and children. When Kaibab shut down he went to work for Molycorp in California. He stayed with that company until he retired to Moccasin, Arizona where he and Marilyn had moved in later years.
Ken was with the Fredonia Fire Department for 20 years, Acting Chief for 2 years and Chief for 10 years. He loved the time he was able to serve the people of Fredonia and surrounding areas. He was disappointed to leave when he had to work out of town and not available to fulfill his duties.
Ken was assistant Scout Master in Fredonia for many years. Ken loved the boys and the outdoors and was a master at camping and teaching scouting skills. Many boys credit him for their happy memories of their scouting years and still use the survival skills he taught. He also made sure each of his children learned these same skills.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been the guide and main staff for Ken’s life. He served with all his heart in positions in the Sunday School, Scouting, Young Men’s, and in a Bishopric. He was always available to serve those with needs.
Ken and Marilyn were blessed with six children: Cheryl Lynn (Bruce Grange), Nikki Odessa (Brad Hartman), Charlene Jennie (Erich Irmer), Tracy Rae (Dave Stumpf), Weston Dean (Shelley) and Clinton Brown. They were later blessed with 16 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
His beloved wife, Marilyn, passed away January 3, 2004. Ken spent two lonely years until a lovely lady, Janet Beazer, came into his life. They married June 10, 2006. Janet added 5 children, spouses and grandchildren to make this family a large happy Burch Bunch. Ken is survived by wife Janet, his 6 children, two sisters Dawna Aragon and Jackie Lora, and the numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Barney Lee Burch and Julia May Mannering Burch, his wife Marilyn, a brother Gail Lee Burch and sisters Odessa Carol and Anna Jane.
Services with be held in Moccasin, Arizona with a viewing on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 6 – 8 pm AZ time, and on Saturday, September 24, 2022 beginning at 10:00 am with funeral services at 11:00 am AZ time. All services are under the direction of Mosdell Mortuary.
There will be a livestream of the service at the following link:
https://zoom.us/j/98136891851?pwd=cEo4clRpSHJHcWIwZFlRbmltSURMZz09
Meeting ID: 981 3689 1851
Passcode: 779515
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