Donald Ray "Don" Burgin, age 86, of Warrensburg, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024, at his home.

Don was born April 26, 1937, in Glenmora, LA, the son of Louis M. Burgin and Pauline E. (Johnson) Burgin. He graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, LA, in 1955.

Immediately after high school he joined the U.S. Air Force and served 21 years before retiring. His service included 10 years as a surgical technician and 11 years as a public information specialist. He served in bases in Morocco, Vietnam, Guam, Okinawa, and Turkey.

Don attended courses at the Universities of Wyoming, Illinois, Maryland, and Minnesota. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Don worked as the news editor for the Daily Star-Journal in Warrensburg from 1976 until 1979. He then joined the Georgia Military College at Whiteman Air Force Base as an adjunct faculty member teaching classes in business management and sociology. He also taught for Park College and State Fair Community College prior to retiring in August of 2006.

Don was united in marriage to Shirley Luzar on September 7, 1957, in Cheyenne, WY. She preceded him in death in August of 1990. He married Mary B. "Suzy" Parrish in December of 1992. She survives.

Don is also survived by his children, Corrine Burgin, Warrensburg, Kimberly Dennett, McKinney, TX, Heidi Rowden, Beardstown, IL, Louis (Donna) Burgin, Warwick, RI, Clayton (Leslie) Burgin, Warrensburg, Donald (Michelle) Burgin, Jr., Sedalia, MO, Leslie Martin, Branson, MO, Joel (Janet) Parrish, California, Carrie (Jeremiah) Swearingin, Warrensburg; his grandchildren, Courtney Rowden, Thomas Dennett, Tyler (Maggie) Burgin, Andrew Dennett, Jordan (Jesse) Granados, Connor Burgin, Robert Dennett, Samantha Burgin, Micah Burgin, Gavin Hunnicutt, Greyson Hunnicutt, Jake (Sarah) Martin, Kaitlin (Brad) Hensley, Justin Parrish, Lindsay (Seth) Robinson, and Avery Swearingin; and a great grandson, Calvin Donald Burgin.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Helen G. Robinson, La Camp, LA, Francis A. Daigle, Sulpher, LA, and Polly A. Gilmore, Lake Charles, LA.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home with Pastor Mel Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery with full military honors.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Evangelical Free Church and left in care of the funeral home.