Roy Burkhalter

Roy Malcolm Burkhalter was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1948 in Franklinton, LA to the late Alfred Warren and Kathryn (Johnson) Burkhalter.

He accepted Jesus and his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at and attended Sweet Home Church of Christ Holiness (USA) in Franklinton, LA.

Roy attended Washington Parish High School where he was the captain of the basketball team his senior year.  He was also the Drum Major of the WPHS Tiger Marching Band both his junior and senior years.

After his graduation in 1966, Roy followed in family tradition and became the third generation to attend Southern University and A&M College.

During the summer of 1968 while visiting his grandmother in Chicago, IL, Roy met his future wife Priscilla (Bonds) Burkhalter.

In 1970, after graduating from Southern with a BS in Education, he enlisted and served in the US Navy where he was stationed in Rota, Spain as a Communications Officer.

Upon his return to the US, he began working at DOW Chemical as a Security Specialist where he retired after 30 plus years of service. After retiring from Dow Chemical, Roy began working at Robinson Brother’s Ford until he became ill and retired a second time.

Roy and Priscilla married in 1977 and had 3 children: Monika Renee’; Ashton Michelle; and his favorite son Adrian Darnell all of Baton Rouge, LA. In 2014, Roy’s heart grew even larger when he welcomed his grand daughter and “Best Girlfriend” -- Sarai Londyn Smith into his life.

Roy was the ultimate Jaguar fan who followed the Jaguar Nation on many road trips and made sure his children continued the family tradition by becoming Southern University Alumni.  Roy was an educator throughout his life, endeavoring to enrich the lives of everyone he met and knew, by sharing his knowledge and helping to motivate others do their best.

Though he was an only child he never felt lonely because he was always surrounded by the love of his family, close childhood friends and classmates.

He is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Kathryn Burkhalter, his grandson Mason, his Uncle Ralph W. Burkhalter, and both his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Roy is survived by his wife of 41 years, Priscilla; his children, Monika, Ashton, and Adrian; his granddaughter Sarai; his cousins Elder R. Lionell (Peggy) Burkhalter, Priscilla (Roy) Brown, Toni (Don) Jack, Curtis (Olga) Jackson, Jr., Stephanie Dyson, Stephen Dyson; sister-in law Sandra Bazell; brothers-in-law G. Tyrone (Denise) Bonds and Marlon (Donna) Bonds; childhood brother Vincent “V.T.” (Ruth) Johnson; BFF Paul (Betty) Burris; play sister Jearlean “Jear” Magee; nieces, nephew, and a host of other family and friends.