David Arnold Burge, 82, a long-time resident of Eldorado, Oklahoma, passed away on September 25, 2024, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surrounded by family. David was born on February 10, 1942, in Gould, Oklahoma, to Willie Richard and Mary Alice (Bogue) Burge. He was the youngest of eight children and was affectionately known as “Baby David” to his siblings! David attended Louis Hill Schools in elementary and moved to Olustee for his 8 th and 9 th Grades. He then moved to Eldorado, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Freeman, when she shoved his face into the water as he was getting a drink from the water fountain at school! They dated throughout high school and graduated together in 1960. He proposed to her on Valentine’s Day in 1961. They married later that year on June 25, 1961, and spent 63 wonderful years together before his passing. David had a 45-year career in the banking field and worked at several banks in the area, including the start of his banking career at City National Bank in Lawton and the end of his career at Red River Federal Credit Union in Altus. During that time, he was also a wheat farmer, along with raising cattle and Angora goats. If he wasn’t in a suit and tie, you could find him in his Levi’s, denim work shirt, and work boots on his tractor out in the field or feeding his livestock! He enjoyed many years of farming and finally decided it was time to let the younger generation do it when he needed an extra “boost” from Barbara to get him into his tractor! To say David loved cars, especially fast ones, would be an understatement! From his early teens to the present, he was semi-obsessed with cars. He started out with clunkers that he would dump money into in order to make them faster, and then he progressed to buying cars that were already fast! One of his favorite cars was his 1997 Camaro Z28, 30 th Anniversary Edition! He may or may not have driven it in excess of 145 mph, and his daughter, Milana, may or may not have been involved in that ride! Music was a very important part of David’s life. He loved to sing and filled in as the music director at church in his later years. He said on several occasions that many music teachers tried to teach him to read music, but none of them succeeded! He played by ear, and his instrument of choice was the harmonica, which he played most of his life! He was even in a Blue Grass band, the “Stump Jumpers” during the 1970s and 1980s! He thoroughly enjoyed country music, especially artists such as Ray Price, Buck Owens, Charley Pride, and Merle Haggard. You could also find him on the dance floor any time any of those artists’ music was playing! He loved a good dance tune and would spin Barbara around the dance floor any chance he got! In 2007, David’s life changed drastically when he transformed from David A into “Papa D” with the birth of his only grandchild, Mika Sullivan Foster! He and Mika were quite the pair, and he was so proud of him! He took his role as Papa D very seriously and doted on Mika until his last day!
David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and Christian, as well as a valued member and deacon of the First Baptist Church of Eldorado. His faith and dedication to the community were unparalleled, and he was described many times as a kind soul with a great smile. He helped establish the housing project in Eldorado and managed it for over 17 years. He was a member of the Lion’s Club for many years and served as its President.
David was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Mika Scott Burge, and five siblings: Alice Loraine Kendrick, Willie Richard (Bill) Burge, Jr., Mary Ruth Maheu, Winnie Gertrude (Peggy) Aeverman, and Robert James (Bob) Burge.
David is survived by his wife, Barbara, their daughter, Milana Burge Foster, son-in-law, Barry, and grandson, Mika; two sisters: Sally Laverne Hickerson and Margaret Elizabeth Crow; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of INTEGRIS Heart Hospital and INTEGRIS Hospice House for their kind, compassionate care during David’s recent stay.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity or one of David’s favorites: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), 825 NE 13 th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
The Burge Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday September 29, 2024, at Lowell - Tims Funeral Home, Altus, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Eldorado with Pastor Pete Wiley officiating. Interment to follow at Eldorado Cemetery, Eldorado, Oklahoma.
Services have been entrusted to Lowell - Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To send flowers in memory of David Arnold Burge, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
29
Sep
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
30
Sep
820 W. Main St.
Eldorado, OK 73537
