THE SGT. TYLER BURKUM

VETERAN’S MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

 

Tyler Charles Burkum, 27, was born in Corvallis, OR June 19, 1994, and took his life Thursday, March 10, 2022.   A man that loved and cared for almost everyone he met, Tyler felt extreme empathy and suffered with/for others. He felt a huge responsibility for others and tried to heal their pain.  He helped many but was consumed by those he couldn’t, and those friends he lost to suicide in the last year of his life.

 

 

Tyler was always ready to help others with their problems. He loved fixing things, using his crazy-smart mind and his hands to solve problems.He set an example for friends and new soldiers regarding effort, respect and camaraderie, took them under his wing, and taught and helped them be successful. He always sought to see the good in others.

 

 

 

 

 

As a child and young man, Tyler enjoyed the thrill of doing paintball, air soft, ATV-ing, snowboarding, skateboarding, karate, BMX and parkour. His extreme IQ, coupled with his hands-on nature made him less found of school. He most liked being with his friends and dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

As an adult, he enjoyed playing pool, disc golf, country music and karaoke, and routinely hosted BBQs (& corn hole) and parties at his house.  He made sure all were invited and felt included.

 

 

 

Tyler was an entrepreneur, fixing up a sailboat and pioneering legalized marijuana processing in Oregon, guiding state organizations to develop sensible industry requirements. He made his own tools/equipment and loved working in his shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He joined the Army in 2018 as a private and rose to Sergeant as a petroleum supply specialist in Ft. Carson, CO, E-company, 3-4 Assault Helicopter Battalion, CAB 4ID. He was awarded two Army Achievement Medals, an Army Good Conduct medal, a National Defense Service Medal and the Driver-Mechanics Badge.

 

 

 

 

 

Tyler loved being in the outdoors with friends. He routinely camped and celebrated with friends in the Corvallis/Philomath area, and with Army friends in Colorado. The positive spirit he would create was amazing. He simply wouldn’t let negativity exist in his environment for any length of time.

 

 

 

 

 

He was a community builder.  He was also a successful matchmaker!  And he was proud to wear onesies, including a pink pig onesie on base at Halloween.

Most important, he was a son, a brother, and a veteran.

 

 

 

 

 

From a fellow, woman soldier:  I want you to know how known, how liked, how RESPECTED, your son was across Fort Carson. SO many people knew him, and they knew him for being someone who always said “yes” when it came to helping anyone. As his friends we will all continue to carry on his life through our memories with him. Your son had some really great friends in his life, the kind of people who will make sure his name is never unspoken or forgotten. RIP SGT. BURKUM

 

WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO THE BURKUM FAMILY FOR THEIR DESIRE TO HELP VETERAN’S AND TO ALLOW 10,000 BEDS THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TREATMENT TO VETERAN’S BATTLING PTSD AND RELATED DISORDERS.