Dr. Bobby Dee Burch

Funeral Services at First Baptist Church, Walters, OK on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., Dr. Jack Jacob officiating with burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Lawton. Visitation on Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home in Walters.

Bobby Dee Burch departed this life on January 16, 2023 at his home east of Walters, OK at the age of 96 years.

Bobby Dee was born to George Washington Burch and Mose Eller (Ledford) Burch on April 29, 1926 in Comanche County, in the Denton community as the 8th child of 11. He graduated from Central High School in 1944, and served with the Marine Corps, 3rd Division from 1944-1946, seeing WWII action in Guam, Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, Wake Island, and Saipan. He returned home to Lawton working for Fairmont Creamery before joining his brother Ned at Burch Machine Shop, downtown Lawton.

After 20 years working with his brother at the machine shop, Pastor Dan Pruitt witnessed to him, he became a Christian, joined Cameron Baptist Church, and soon after surrendered to the pastoral ministry. He pastored his first church at Richards Spur Baptist north of Lawton for two years, Gatlin Baptist near Duncan for 6 years, Second Baptist Church, Okmulgee, OK for 25 years where he retired and moved back to Southwest Oklahoma near Walters. He missed preaching the gospel and after a short retirement pastored at Grandfield 1st Baptist Church for 10 years, then briefly for Corum Baptist Church, Comanche, OK. During his ministry he preached over 10,000 sermons and performed 100’s of weddings and funerals. He would joke stating he would rather bury than marry, as at least they would stay buried. He always cared for people, preaching at nursing homes, visiting the sick and elderly, greeting people as they entered the church, and going wherever God willed. He was privileged to witness in the Philippines, establish a satellite church at Nuyaka, OK, and has led numerous souls to the Lord. He earned his Doctorate degree in Theology. Bob never wanted to boast or receive credit as his own doing, but to give all praise and credit to the Lord.

In 1950 he met and married his loving wife Roberta (Faries) Burch and had three daughters: Dorothy Susan (Burch) Denard of Duncan, Kathy Dee (Burch) Black of Duncan, and Penny Louise (Burch) Ritter of Vian, OK. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary October of 2022.

Bob was very involved in his children’s activities, attending most of their sporting events, plays, and school activities. He had a built in GPS to find any gymnasium in an unfamiliar town. He loved to fish, grow vegetables in a large garden, and tinker with mechanical equipment. Before his pastoral ministry he enjoyed building engines and competed at local drag races. You would often see him behind the camera videotaping family reunions, church events, and fun times at Falls Creek Baptist assembly. He enjoyed playing Skip-Bo, Hand & Foot, Pinochle card games, and dominoes with family and friends.

In his later years he enjoyed excellent health, picking and shelling pecans from his property, working in his garden, and taking care of his pond. He enjoyed attending Sunday School and greeting people to hand them a bulletin as they attended Walters First Baptist where he was a member.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Roberta, his three daughters Susan Denard and spouse Robert, Kathy Black, Penny Ritter and spouse Jerry, two grandchildren Candace Jones and spouse Nicholaus, Connie Ritter, and three great grandchildren Lauren Jones, Andrew Jones, Carly Jones of Tahlequah, OK, and his only remaining sibling Leonard Don Burch and spouse Marie of Lawton.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ned Burch, Fred Burch, Roy Burch, James Ivan Burch, Jessie Dewey Burch, and sisters Ruby Welborn, Hazel Dunbar, Oweida Smiley, and Edna Morrow.

The family extends many sincere thanks to the friends, family, and Centric Hospice staff for their support.