Edward George "Ted" Burckart departed this life Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the age of 93. He was born August 15, 1932, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to William and Marguerite Slough Burckart.

Ted's family owned and operated four pharmacies in Erie. His uncle, a butcher, owned a farm near Newcastle, Pennsylvania, where Ted spent plenty of time in his formative years. That's where he developed his love of animals and his dream of one day owning his own ranch.

Ted attended Erie public schools until he completed his sophomore year. He then spent two years at Manlius Military Academy in Manlius, New York, graduating in 1950. He attended Pennsylvania State University until 1952, when he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Field Artillery until his discharge in 1954.

When Ted's older brother Bill went to Florida to pursue business ventures, Ted followed him, leading to his enrollment at Florida State University. And after his brother Jack went to Texas to build apartments, Ted joined him. He soon enrolled at Texas Christian University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in business administration.

While studying at TCU, Ted met his first wife, Glenna Thomas. They married in 1962 and enjoyed 34 happy years together before Glenna's death in 1996.

Ted worked primarily in sales, but owned and operated several businesses over the years, including automotive dealerships and an Ansafone answering service franchise in Dallas. His love of animals and the outdoors eventually led him to start his own ranch near Denton, Texas.

Following the untimely death of his first wife, Glenna in 1996, Ted moved to Fort Worth. In 2011, he met Mary Ellen Fowler Harper Foxcroft Yandell, whom he married in 2021. They enjoyed many years together before his passing.

Ted was known for his love of animals, cars, history and current events. Even in the final days of his life, he maintained a keen interest in news and politics.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, William Merrill Burckart and John Charles Burckart; his sister, Mary Louise Burckart Crawford; nephews, Theodore M. Burckart and John Flint Burckart; niece, Megan Burckart; and his first wife, Glenna Thomas Burckart.

Ted is survived by his wife, Mary and beloved dog, Sassy; his stepson, David Harper of River Oaks, Texas; five nephews: William P. Burckart (Shannon) of Bentonville, Arkansas, Robert Burckart (Susan), of Bentonville, Arkansas, William E. Burckart II of Sneedville, Tennessee, Thomas I. Crawford II, MD (Janet) of Portland, Oregon, and Bruce Crawford (Michelle) of Phoenix, Arizona; and three nieces: Merrill Ann Burckart Hoyle (David), of Rowley, Massachusetts, Jennifer Burckart Estes (Matt) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Gretchen Burckart Hicks of Austin, Texas.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no memorial service. His ashes will be placed in the columbarium at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.