Burdette M. Cooley

October 26, 1939 - November 26, 2019

Burdette Cooley, 80, died November 26, 2019, at his home at Lake McConaughy. Burdette (aka Burd, Karnack the Almanac) was born on October 26, 1939, to Wilber and J. Louise Cooley in Imperial, NE. He grew up a western farm boy until the family relocated to Lincoln, NE. He was employed at Goodyear Tire and Rubber company for 31 years. He was involved and served on offices within the United Rubber Workers, Lincoln Central Labor Union, and Nebraska State AFL-CIO. Burdette served in many elected positions within the Nebraska/National Democratic Party and served on the board of the Nebraska State Historical Society. He retired in 1991. Burdette and Patty moved to their beloved Lake Mac., where he served as a member of the Keystone-Lemoyne Fire Dept. and Lake Mac Rescue. He partnered and volunteered in building Martin Bay Church, founded and facilitated the building of the Lemoyne Senior Center, and was the founder and President of the PTDG, held nightly on Belf Road. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilber and J. Louise Cooley; sister, Vivian Johnson; brother-in-law, Richard Ronollet; and grand-daughter, Jessica Cooley. Burdette is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia; brothers, Wesley (Nancy) Cooley and C. William aka "Bears" (Linda) Cooley; sister, Laura aka "Beryl" Renollet; sons, Thomas (Elizabeth), William (Monique), and Jeffrey (Shelly) Cooley; grandchildren, Audrey, Mark, Anne, Alejandra, Valeria, Adrian, Victoria, Schyler, Cydney and Samuel; and great-grandsons, Ralph and Santiago. Burdette lived a wonderful life and was an extraordinary example of servanthood, stewardship, and friendship. A celebration of life will be held Friday, December 20, 2019, at 10:00 am at the Lemoyne Senior Center. Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is assisting the family with cremation.