James Edward Burkhardt
September 20, 1961 ~ August 29, 2024
Born in: Meadville, Pennsylvania
James Edward Burkhardt, 62, of Meadville, passed away, Thursday, August 29, 2024 at Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community. He was born on September 20, 1961 in Meadville, a son of Richard B. Burkhardt and Virginia R. Pendy Burkhardt.
He was a 1981 graduate of Tech Memorial in Erie and was employed at Giant Eagle in Harborcreek for 22 years. While employed with Giant Eagle he received many different accolades and awards for his performance.
Jim participated in Special Olympics where he won many ribbons and metals at the local and state level. He loved swimming, WWE wrestling, the Buffalo Bills, Alabama Football, and score keeping for Meadville High School Basketball and Mercyhurst University. Jim knew sports very well and won several Super Bowl and March Madness pools over the years.
He was the first non-Erie resident to be accepted into the Gertrude Barber Institute. Jim resided on his own for 15 years and was in a book with his father and Sharon Stone which is an inspiring book about people in the Down Syndrome community. Sharon was his babysitter while growing up. She was paid 25 cents per hour which was later raised to 50 cents per hour.
Jim is survived by his father, Richard B. Burkhardt of Meadville; a sister, Sheila Morrow of Erie; his nephew, Aiden P. Morrow (Macy) of Erie; a great nephew to be born very soon, Charles Anthony Morrow; his godmother, Sharon Stone of Los Angeles, California; and his “chopped liver,” Jenny Boden of New Hampshire.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia R. Burkhardt.
Family and friends are welcome to call on Saturday, August 31st from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Ryan M. Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 1st at 2:00pm at United Emmanuel Church of Christ, 30 Park Ave., Meadville, with Pastor Timothy Solomon, officiating.
Burial will follow at Greendale Cemetery, Meadville.
The family would like to thank Wesbury for their continued care and support for Jim and our family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania - Crawford County, 222 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335.
Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Jim's Book of Memories online at www.WarrenFH.com
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Q: What will you never forget about James?
A: I first met Jim at my wedding to his mothers cousin. He was loved by all. He especially loved his Aunt Dorothea.
We would visit with him every year that we went to Meadville for the Halloween parade.
He was fun loving, engaging and had a special spirit.
I am sure that many will remember him driving around in his golf cart. He will be misses by many; but having a great time in heaven with his mom and extended family.
What can I say about Jim other than he was well loved and a star of the family. When his parents came to visit family in Ohio, Jim always brought along much joy.
I will always remember his funny personality and sweet smile! Thinking about stories of how extremely busy he was as a toddler still makes me smile. The story of Jim setting a fire in the closet and him escaping outside outsmarting every lock also makes me smile. He was exceptionally smart with money which is a great thing to achieve.
Richard Virginia and Sheila gave Jim a beautiful full life and I’m thankful to have been a part of this wonderful family even if it was from a distance.. Family really is everything❤️ God bless you all 🙏
We fondly remember Jim riding his golf cart down Martha Drive, waving and saying hi to us sitting on our porch. And we remember the times when he would order his favorite thirst quencher at The Scoreboard Tavern, “Make mine a Miller Lite, Mike.”
Sure hope when Jim connects with Aunt Biscuit and his mom, they can get the recipe for “goop” that Aunt Biscuit made him. i Always remember that was a mystery. Cousin Gail Rose
To Dick
Just learned of Jimmy’s Passing
You and Virginia were great parents.
Mine and Mary Anne’s condolences.
Rich Sherwin
I remember Jim from way back….always smiling and full of fun in his younger days. Jim was very fortunate to have a devoted family to care for him. Hopefully he’s back sharing stories with his mom. Dick has been a very devoted father visiting him daily.
I just read of your brothers death Sheila. I am so sorry for the loss to your entire family. I can’t really put my finger on it but since losing 3 siblings myself it seems to bring it’s own kind of grief. Somehow they feel like an extension of yourself. You are in my thoughts. Anybody that knows you is aware of the love you shared.