In Memory Of
Kenneth L. Burgoon
1933
2017
Kenneth L. Burgoon
June 23, 1933 — October 5, 2017
Colonel (RET.) Kenneth L. "Ken" Burgoon, 84, died at Valley View Senior Life Center on October 5, 2017. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 12, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Sue Trei-Conrad officiating. No visitation is planned. Inurnment with full Military Honors will follow the services at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Manhattan, KS. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be designated to the First Presbyterian Church.
He married Jackie (Hinman) May 20, 1956 Manhattan, KS, they had two children, Bill and LesLee.
Colonel Kenneth Burgoon was born June 23, 1933, Rantoul (Pomona), KS to Arthur and Lottie (Carter) Burgoon. He attended Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Biological Sciences. He was commissioned August 1955 in the Artillery from Kansas State University and entered active duty in May 1956 at Fort Bliss, Texas. During his military career, he completed the Artillery Officers Basic Course (Ft Bliss, Texas) the Field Artillery Transition Course (Ft Sill, Oklahoma) the Field Artillery Advanced Course (Ft Sill, Oklahoma) Special Operations Training (Ft Bragg, North Carolina) the Command and General Staff College (ft Leavenworth, Kansas) and the Naval War College (Newport, Rhode Island)
Colonel Burgoon was assigned to Ft Richardson, Alaska and served in the 867th Skysweeper Battalion, 120th Gun Battalion and Nike Hercules Battalion. At Ft Riley, Kansas, he was Adjutant and Commander of B. Battery, 2/33rd Field Artillery Battalion and then went to Vietnam as Senior Advisor, 1st ARVN Division Artillery. Returning to Fifth US Army Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, he was Chief, Enlisted Distribution Branch at the Pentagon, he served as Executive Officer for the Director, Plans Directorate ODCSOPS. Returning to Ft Riley, he served the Third ROTC Region as Operations Officer and Chief of Staff until retiring in July 1980.
Upon retirement, Colonel Burgoon organized the Junior Reserve Officers Training Cadet Corps at Junction City High School. The Cadet Corps was only the second corps to be activated in the state of Kansas. He later accepted the position of Military Affairs coordinator for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and also served as the Secretary of the Old Trooper Regiment.
His involvement in the Junction City community included the Sertoma Civic Club, Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Board of Governors Kansans for a Strong Fort Riley, Flint Hillis Military Council, Crossroads of Leadership, Sundown Salute Committee, Ft Riley/Junction City Heritage Partnership Team and the Governors Military Task Force.
He is survived by his wife Jackie; his daughter LesLee (Curtis) Blount all of Junction City, KS; his daughter-in-law, Sue Burgoon of Topeka, KS; his brothers, Tom (Judy) Love of Ottawa, KS and Alvin (Jean) Burgoon of Topeka, KS, his sister, Linda McIntyre of Ottawa, KS. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Sara (Joey) Valenciano, Mackenzie (John) Lytle, Zach Burgoon and Nick Burgoon; his great-grandchildren, Hazel Valenciano, Emma Smith and Jaxon Lytle all of Junction City, KS.
He was preceded in death by his son Bill and his sister Charlotte Raby.
**To leave a special message for the family, visit:www.PenwellGabelJunctionCity.com**
**To leave a special online message for the family, press the "share" tab above.**
He married Jackie (Hinman) May 20, 1956 Manhattan, KS, they had two children, Bill and LesLee.
Colonel Kenneth Burgoon was born June 23, 1933, Rantoul (Pomona), KS to Arthur and Lottie (Carter) Burgoon. He attended Kansas State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Biological Sciences. He was commissioned August 1955 in the Artillery from Kansas State University and entered active duty in May 1956 at Fort Bliss, Texas. During his military career, he completed the Artillery Officers Basic Course (Ft Bliss, Texas) the Field Artillery Transition Course (Ft Sill, Oklahoma) the Field Artillery Advanced Course (Ft Sill, Oklahoma) Special Operations Training (Ft Bragg, North Carolina) the Command and General Staff College (ft Leavenworth, Kansas) and the Naval War College (Newport, Rhode Island)
Colonel Burgoon was assigned to Ft Richardson, Alaska and served in the 867th Skysweeper Battalion, 120th Gun Battalion and Nike Hercules Battalion. At Ft Riley, Kansas, he was Adjutant and Commander of B. Battery, 2/33rd Field Artillery Battalion and then went to Vietnam as Senior Advisor, 1st ARVN Division Artillery. Returning to Fifth US Army Headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, he was Chief, Enlisted Distribution Branch at the Pentagon, he served as Executive Officer for the Director, Plans Directorate ODCSOPS. Returning to Ft Riley, he served the Third ROTC Region as Operations Officer and Chief of Staff until retiring in July 1980.
Upon retirement, Colonel Burgoon organized the Junior Reserve Officers Training Cadet Corps at Junction City High School. The Cadet Corps was only the second corps to be activated in the state of Kansas. He later accepted the position of Military Affairs coordinator for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and also served as the Secretary of the Old Trooper Regiment.
His involvement in the Junction City community included the Sertoma Civic Club, Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Board of Governors Kansans for a Strong Fort Riley, Flint Hillis Military Council, Crossroads of Leadership, Sundown Salute Committee, Ft Riley/Junction City Heritage Partnership Team and the Governors Military Task Force.
He is survived by his wife Jackie; his daughter LesLee (Curtis) Blount all of Junction City, KS; his daughter-in-law, Sue Burgoon of Topeka, KS; his brothers, Tom (Judy) Love of Ottawa, KS and Alvin (Jean) Burgoon of Topeka, KS, his sister, Linda McIntyre of Ottawa, KS. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Sara (Joey) Valenciano, Mackenzie (John) Lytle, Zach Burgoon and Nick Burgoon; his great-grandchildren, Hazel Valenciano, Emma Smith and Jaxon Lytle all of Junction City, KS.
He was preceded in death by his son Bill and his sister Charlotte Raby.
**To leave a special message for the family, visit:www.PenwellGabelJunctionCity.com**
**To leave a special online message for the family, press the "share" tab above.**
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth L. Burgoon, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
First Presbyterian Church
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