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Hardy Fleming Burke,
III
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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1970 Roar
R. L. Turner High School
Carrollton, Dallas Co., Texas
Faculty - Physical Education |
OBITUARY
 Hardy
Fleming Burke, III
Hardy Fleming Burke, III, died at home on June 15, 2021, in the
presence of his wife and children. Hardy was born April 15,
1943, in Gainesville, Texas, to H.F. Burke, Jr., and Chloe
Williamson Burke, the first of five children. During Hardy's
earliest childhood, he and his mother and sisters Carmen and
Mickey lived with his grandparents, Sam and Connie Williamson,
in rural Cooke County, while his father served in the Army Air
Force during World War II. Hardy was very close to Papa Sam and
Grandmother Connie and relished time spent with them in their
homeplace on wooded acreage near the Red River.
After the war, the family moved to Denton, and Hardy began
Kindergarten at the North Texas Laboratory School. Then, for
approximately five years, the family lived in the Mustang
community outside Pilot Point, where Hardy attended third
through seventh grades. It was during this time he first played
football. In eighth grade, the family relocated back to Denton
where they enjoyed living on Hickory Street in historic Denton.
Hardy attended Denton Junior High School and Denton High School,
continuing to excel in football and also participating in band.
He also had the pleasure of working at the A&P Grocery Store.
Hardy graduated from Denton High School in 1962 and attended
Texas Tech University on a football scholarship for one year
before transferring to North Texas State University (now UNT),
where he earned his bachelor's degree while playing football on
scholarship there as well. Hardy was co-captain of the 1966
Eagles football team, which won the Missouri Valley Conference
championship. After graduating in 1967, he coached at R.L.
Turner High School in Carrollton before entering Texas Tech
University School of Law in 1970, where he was a member of the
Law Review.
In 1971, Hardy married Rebecca (Becky) Boynton at First United
Methodist Church in Denton. The couple lived in Lubbock for one
year while Hardy finished law school before moving to Denton.
Hardy began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney
under D.A. John Lawhorn, working in the original Denton County
Courthouse on the square. Hardy worked the majority of his
career in private practice, which he maintained through 2006.
Then, during the final years of his career, he worked for the
Denton County District Attorney's Office, first as legal counsel
to the sheriff and then in the Civil Division. He retired at the
end of 2015. Hardy was a respected member of the Denton legal
community, where he was known for his legal ability and
unwavering integrity and kindness.
Hardy was an active member and elder of First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Denton, where he was a
fourth-generation member. He was elected Elder Emeritus in 2019.
Hardy is survived by his beloved wife, Becky, and their two
children: son Sam and his wife Anna and daughter Amy and her
husband Brad Williams. He is also survived by two grandchildren,
Catherine Burke and Samuel Burke; sisters Mickey Lewis (Knoxie),
Ann Forsythe (Ronnie), Jan Schmalian (Gary); brother-in-law Bob
Sittel; sister-in-law Nancy Hightower; his nieces and nephews
Connie Lee Cobb (Clyde), Mickey Hinds (Collin), Joe Frank Walker
(Janet Nord), Robbie Sittel (Chris Lair), Joshua Burke Walker
(Anne), Aaron Dodson, Blaine Hightower (Jenny), and Keith
Hightower; and many grand-nieces and nephews.
Hardy was predeceased by his parents, his sister Carmen Sittel,
his nephew Ariel Dodson, and his brother-in-law Max Hightower.
Hardy lived life with honor, quietly helping others without
seeking notice. Hardy loved telling stories and a good joke. He
was always ready with a knowing wink, kind smile, and helping
hand. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at 1203 Fulton
Street in Denton at 2:00 pm.
For those wishing to honor Hardy, in lieu of flowers the family
asks you to consider a donation to the Memorial Fund at First
Christian Church or to a charity of choice, or to perform an act
of kindness for someone else.
Published by Denton Record-Chronicle from Jun. 19 to Jul. 18,
2021. |
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