Obituary of Kenneth Lee Burbridge, Sr.

Funeral Services for Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Burbridge of Elsberry, MO will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Kris Hagemeier, pastor of the Elsberry First Christian Church, will officiate with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be Donnie Kinsler, Dean Kinsler, Danny Kinsler, Gavin Reller, Dr. Tim Reller, Jason Burbridge, Josh Burbridge, Yancy Burbridge and Aaron Traw. Mr. Burbridge, 81, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at his home. Born March 17, 1939 in Elsberry, where he was a lifelong resident, Kenny was the son of Raymond K. and Clara Gertrude Suddarth Burbridge. Kenny was united in marriage on December 5, 1970 at New Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry to Harriet Loraine Stamper. This union was blessed with four children: Jason, Justin, Brooke and Josh. Working to provide for his family was so important to him. In his lifetime he worked long hours in many jobs including his first job as an employee of the Senate Theatre, as a farmer, a tree planter for Forrest Keeling Nursery, a machine operator at the Wells Lamont glove factory, a riveter on the F-4H Phantom at McDonnell Aircraft, an Elsberry City Police officer, owner and operator of the Hillcrest Motel for seven years, and as a carpenter for nearly 40 years, helped to build high-rises, the Clarence Cannon Dam, airports, and hundreds of homes in the St. Louis area. He sacrificed so much of himself so his wife and children could have better lives. He was also a member of Carpenters Union Local 1875. Kenny later worked as a finish carpenter for Collins Construction for many years, known for working not only on his own home but many others in the Elsberry area. Kenny loved to ride his John Deere mower and keep his yard in pristine condition. He was a Civil War enthusiast. Kenny was a member of the Elsberry United Methodist Church. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Clara Burbridge; one brother, Dennis “Denny” Burbridge; one brother-in-law, Peter Michael Stamper; and two sons: Justin Lisle Burbridge on August 26, 1973 and Kenneth L. Burbridge, Jr. on June 30, 2009. Survivors include his beloved wife of 50 years, Loraine Burbridge of Elsberry; two sons: Jason Burbridge of Elsberry and Josh Burbridge and his wife, Kathryn, of St. Louis, MO; two daughters: Brooke Reller and her husband, Tim, of Elsberry and Kimberly Zang of Bowling Green, MO; fourteen grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Kenny also leaves many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2021 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Joseph R. Palmer Family Memorial Library (or) Elsberry R-2 Teachers Fund for Supplies in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.