Kim Burkey

In loving memory of Kim A. Burkey

Kim Alan Burkey passed away Friday afternoon, April 19, 2024 in Vicksburg, Michigan. He was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on March 16, 1944, the son of Boyd and Theda (Finzer) Burkey. Kim graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and was a talented basketball player. In 1966 he graduated from Michigan State University where he was a member of the Phi Delta Epsilon fraternity and studied finance and accounting. After graduating, Kim served in the army for two years as a payroll administrator and was honorably discharged in 1968. He was self-employed as a certified public accountant and lived in California, Michigan, and Florida throughout the years. Kim enjoyed many hobbies such as boating, fishing, hustling unassuming people at the pool table, gardening, reading, sassy political debates, spending time with his family and at the beach, and rooting for the Spartans, Pistons, and Lions. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jeff Burkey. Kim is survived by his wife, Leilani Darling-Burkey, daughter Brett (Jesse) Schaap, granddaughters Natalie and Mackenzie Toman, step-daughters Jessica Ratliff and Kimberly (Brett) VandenBosch, step-son Michael Darling, sister-in-law MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, nephews Joel (Deb) and David (Julie) Burkey, and grandnephews and nieces Cole, Raeann, Madeline, Joseph, and Samuel. A celebration of life will be held at the Bright House Studio on Sunday, May 5th in Portage Michigan at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flower, donations can be made to the COPD foundation in Kim’s name.