BRADENTON, Fla. — David Eugene Burkholder, 76, died August 20, 2016, at Rudy's Agape House in Bradenton, Florida, where he was lovingly cared for by familiar staff as he battled with Alzheimer's Disease.
He was born Feb. 18, 1940, the eldest of nine children of Ray L. and Elvina (Burry) Burkholder. He graduated from Pandora-Gilboa High School, the class of 1958. While in school, he was active in football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He attended Florida Southern College and received his master's degree in education, health and physical education from Bowling Green State University. He taught high school, coached football in Ohio and at Titusville and Immokalee, Florida.
David was a loyal Ohio State University fan of the football and basketball teams. More recently he had been owner/operator of Stat Courier Services and NSA/Water Marque Water Filtrations Distributor. He enjoyed playing tennis and was a longtime member of the El Conquistador Racquet Club. In 1992, David was the captain of the G.T. Bray 50 and Over men's A team, which won the Tri-City Men's League. He was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
David is survived by his loving wife, Tisha Ann; a daughter, Pam Whims; two sons, Nick Burkholder and Rick Burkholder; eight siblings, Sara Beth (Roland) Etter, Carolyn (Brian) Haller, Betty (Wayne) Yarnell, Don (Darlene) Burkholder, Dean (Jini) Burkholder, Jan (Joe) Edman, Debbie (Tom) Johnson and Barbara Ann (Guy) Verhoff; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-grandnieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Grace Mennonite Church in Pandora.
