Lt. Colonel Charles Leon Burch, U.S. Air Force-retired, age 86, of Deltaville, passed away at home Thursday, March 1, 2018, with his loving family by his side.

Lt. Col. Burch is survived by his wife of 21 years, Nancy Swisher Burch; his children, Marc Burch (Samar), Shella Cherry (Dwayne), David Whitehurst (Patty), and Wendy Price. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Maddox and Mila Cherry and step-grandchildren, Scott Heatwole, Jackie Nealon (Cory), Phillip and Aaron Whitehurst, and special family friends, Jack and David Bayard.

He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Pauline Burch; his wives, Dorothy W. Ann Burch and Linda R. Burch, and his son, James Burch.

Born in Oswego, Kansas, Nov. 1, 1931, Lt. Col. Burch graduated from the University of Kansas (“Rock Chalk Jayhawk”) with a degree in Journalism and a commission in the USAF as a 2nd Lieutenant. He entered active duty in May 1954 and retired on May 31, 1978 as a Lt. Colonel. During active service he served in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He served at the Strategic Air Command Headquarters and USAF Security Services Headquarters. He also served as an intelligence officer at the National Security Agency. Following his retirement, Lt. Col. Burch served as a veterans’ claims agent for the State of Virginia. He retired from this position after serving for 17 years. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 368 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 176. After living in Newport News for over 30 years, the family moved to Deltaville.

A Celebration of Life service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018, at Zoar Baptist Church, Deltaville, by Dr. John Snow. Visitation began at 10 a.m. prior to the service and a reception followed in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service with military honors was held at 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Grove Cemetery, 809 S. Henry St., Williamsburg. 

The family wishes expressions of sympathy to take form of contributions to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, Va. 23453 (www.operationsmile.org), in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements by Faulkner Funeral Homes, Bristow-Faulkner Chapel, Saluda.