VALLEY CENTER, KS
Burgan, Barbara June (Reynolds), 71, retired Sedgwick County Zoo Curator of Education, passed away Tuesday, February 26, 2013. She was born in Neodesha, Kansas to Joseph James Reynolds and Thelma (Whisler) Reynolds. Barbara graduated from Independence Community College in 1965. She was first of two women to graduate from WSU with a degree in Biology. Upon graduation from WSU she began to teach in USD 259 where she was to become the first person hired at the Sedgwick County Zoo for the position as Curator of Education. In 1978 she was honored with a "Woman of Achievement" award at the annual Matrix Champagne brunch of Wichita Women of Communication. In March 2011 she was chosen as Regent for Wichita DAR. Barbara spent her entire professional life educating people in one form or other. She is survived by her husband, Bob; children, Robert J. Burgan of N. Richland Hills, TX and Tamra (Kent) Smith of Keller, TX; grandchildren, Spencer Smith, Alexa Smith, Miranda Burgan and Reyna Burgan; mother, Thelma Reynolds of Neodesha; sister, Marilyn (Earl) Creel of Wichita; sister-in-law, Ramona Reynolds of Neodesha. She is preceded in death by her father Joseph J. Reynolds and brother, Floyd A. Reynolds. Visitation 5-7 p.m., Monday, March 4, at Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center, Kansas. Service 10 a.m., March 5, at First United Methodist Church, 560 N. Park, Valley Center. Burial 2 p.m. after the service at Altoona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Harry Hynes Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Ks 67202 and First United Methodist Church, 560 N. Park, Valley Center, Ks 67147. Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center, Kansas. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com