Leslie Wayne Burk, 64, passed away with courage, grace and dignity on June 26, 2016 at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado following a long illness.
Les was born on July 28, 1952 to the late Sylvia Wassinger and Claude Burk.
He is survived by his sister, Claudia Bishop and brother Rowan Burk of Divide, Colorado, and sister, Marion Wendt of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by his Trinidad family, Dave, Rosemarie, Morgan and Darby Shier and his extended family at Southern Colorado Developmental Disabilities Services and Las Animas County Rehabilitation Center, especially, Candice Rivera, Kayla Montoya, Cathy Chavez, Lacey Williams, JoAnn Card-Beam, Jude Sears, and Mariah Colangelo along with his good friends and housemates at the Adams Group Home.
Les moved to Trinidad in 1979. He was a pioneer in the field of developmental disabilities being one of the first individuals in Colorado to move from a State-run institution to a community setting. Through his extraordinary sense of humor, outgoing personality, and personal charm, Les helped Trinidad embrace, celebrate and value diversity.
Les was a devoted fan of professional wrestling, the Denver Broncos, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. He was a member of the Fisher’s Peak Community Church.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Monday, July 11th, 2016, at 10am at the Comi Funeral Home Chapel, 1804 E Main with Deacon John Luginbill, officiating. Interment and reception to follow.
