Larry Burkhardt (Deceased), Billings, MT Montana

In Memory

Larry Burkhardt

According to the Find A Grave database (Memorial #91784088):

Larry James Burkhardt was born October 17, 1947, and died May 27, 1968 in Hue, Vietnam. He was a PFC in the US Army's 101st Airborne Infantry.

Larry was laid to rest in Mountview Cemetery, Billings, Montana (Plot: Section 1B, Lot VET, Grave 379).

The name Larry J. Burkhardt is located on Panel 65W Line 005 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

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10/26/15 10:21 PM

Gary Daniel

Larry Burkhardt lost his life in Viet Nam as a member of the 101st Airborne Infantry on May 27, 1968. I recall that Larry was a guard on the Bronc basketball team. According to Arnie Schultz, Larry had an offer from Northern Montana College to play basketball.

10/27/15 12:38 PM

Leonard Lervick

I did get to know him well from basbetball. Larry lived down on South 27th Street & about 10th Street South. I lived in the Height so my dad picked me up when he got off work & we noticed Larry walking home one night. My dad was quick to make sure Larry had a ride home from that time on. Beleive we were 10th & 11th grade at that time.

08/22/16 10:15 PM

Steve Ponce

The first time I met Larry was the first day of 1st grade at Taft school. While walking to school, I saw Larry crying in front of his house with his mother. She called for me to talk with her and asked if I would walk to school with Larry. Both of us, by this time, were crying to which Larry's mother said we are big boys and can walk to school together. She gave us each a hug and sent us on our way. Hand in hand we bravely walked to Taft school. This was the beginning of our friendship.

Larry's mother passed away during 3rd grade leaving him lost and filled with sadness. He cried much even during school. I would hug him to console Larry of his loss. And in turn, Larry consoled me when my father passed away during our Sophomore year.

We were never rowdy however we did have our drinking moment which could have gotten us into a lot of trouble. Someone gave us Boones Farm wine and beer to which we drank a substantial amount while sitting in my '58 Chevy car. We drove around Billings and then went to Larry's house to hang out. As we walked from my car, we were laughing hysteriously as we dared each other to jump over the fencing of the yard. Larry made it over however I was not fortunate as he was because I fell over the fence into the yard. Laying in the grass I looked up and there was Larry's father, Big John, with a perturbed expression on his face. Larry and I were could not stop laughing. Big John took us into the house, gave us coffee to sober us, and then sent me home, a half block drive from his house.

During high school we went hunting, fishing, played basketball and baseball at South Park, bowled in a junior league, and hung out. We graduated together from Senior high in 1966. Thereafter we attended EMC taking general classes. In the fall of 1967 Larry was drafted into the Vietnam war and was sent to boot camp at Fort Lewis. Larry returned to Billings for a short stay before being deployed. During this time he asked if I would be his best man at his wedding, to which I gladly accepted. Larry was married to Ruth Norton. In the winter of 1968 he was deployed to Vietnam never to return alive.

The memories I have of Larry are endless as we spent much our youth together. The memories I have are lasting because we had fun, endured life difficulties together, and were best friends. He was a remarkable person, was always kind to others, was a gifted athlete picked up quickly on many sports, and had a loving soul. I was honored to be his friend. I miss him to this very day.

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