Dick L. Burkepile

Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford Dick L. Burkepile died at home in Oxford, MS on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Dick was born in Hoxie, Kansas, the only child of Robert and Louverne Burkepile and attended Hoxie High School, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Kansas State University. While serving in the Air Force, he earned his Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology. In 1967, he met and married Judy Mullins of Jayess, MS, a bookkeeper at the airbase where he was stationed in Florida. They lived in Florida, California, and Ohio before moving to Georgia where they had their only son Deron in 1976. In 1979, the family moved to Oxford, MS where Dick served as an industrial engineer at Chambers Corporation in Oxford before taking a job Carrier Corporation in Collierville, TN where he worked for over 20 years, commuting back and forth from home in Oxford. Dick and Judy had many friends among the local birdwatching community, and during the coldest winters were some of the few who participated in the annual Christmas Bird Counts at Grenada and Sardis Lakes. He and Judy were also regulars in Tad Smith Coliseum cheering on the Ole Miss basketball teams. But Dick really loved everything about baseball, and was there in person in Atlanta when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record. He coached several of Deron’s baseball teams, and Dick and Deron visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame for his 70th birthday. Dick stayed close with his high school graduating class in Hoxie, KS, making annual pilgrimages to celebrate homecoming every fall for many years. Dick believed in friendship and family and showed up for them through phone calls, connection over Facebook, and letters. Dick is survived by his wife Judy Burkepile, his son Deron Burkepile, his daughter-in-law Allison Grisham, his grandsons Reid and Kellar Grisham-Burkepile, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. His memorial is Thursday, February 26 at 1:00 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, MS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Dick with a contribution to the the community meals program More than Meal in Oxford https://www.mtamoxford.org/. The staff at Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is honored to serve the family during this challenging time. Condolences may be expressed online on his Tribute wall at www.colemanfuneralhomeox.com

Dick L. Burkepile

May 26, 1941 - February 19, 2026

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