James E. (Jim) Burnett

Services for Jim Burnett, 78, of Huntsville, Texas will be held Friday, June 24, 2022 at 10:30 at Fellowship of Huntsville Church with Pastor C.F. Hazlewood officiating.  Immediately following the service, the family hopes you will come to "Jim's Last Cook" as we celebrate his life in true Jim Burnett fashion.

The life of Jim Burnett is a testament to God's providence and perfect plan.  Jim, and his wife, Lucrecia, were delivered just a few months apart in the same hospital and by the same Doctor, in Los Angeles, California in 1943.  The Lord led both their families to Abernathy, Texas where they graduated high school together.  Jim learned to fly at early age and while most teenagers in high school would drive by a girl's house, Jim liked to fly low over Lucrecia's house to get her attention, and it worked.  They were married on September 8 ^th , 1962 and had 59 wonderful years of marriage.

Jim was a patriot and joined the Army when many tried to avoid their civic duty due to the Vietnam War.  The Army found out he could fly so they trained him to fly Huey Helicopters.  He flew for the "Black Cats" 282 ^nd Assault Helicopter Company and was decorated with three Army Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.  The reasoning for his first Distinguished Cross was described like this, "Operating under extremely adverse weather conditions and against well-fortified enemy positions, he led his aircraft into battle with complete disregard for his own safety.  Due to the proximity of the friendly units to the enemy fortifications, each firing run was performed with extreme accuracy.  Pausing only to refuel and rearm, he attacked time after time, flying directly into the overwhelming volume of enemy fire.  These apparently insurmountable obstacles were overcome by his poised professionalism and incomparable valor."  A UPI news article from Saigon, confirmed Warrant Officer James Burnett's 63 kills during this battle in Hue.

Jim was a great father and he and Lucrecia provided everything his sons, John and Jason, would ever need.  He coached their little league teams, worked with them on their 4-H and FFA projects, and provided them the opportunity to attend college.  They taught John and Jason how to work hard and how to serve others.  Most importantly, they made sure their sons were in a church that preached about sin and their need for Jesus and His salvation.  Kingwood Bible Church, Huntsville Bible Church, and Fellowship of Huntsville all benefitted from his servant leadership through the years.

In 1969, when he got out of the Army, he went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration, Houston Center, as an Air Traffic Controller.  He trained many Air Traffic Controllers over the years and on the worst day in our country's history, September, 11, 2001, he controlled Air Force One as they flew President George Bush to safety.

Jim was a servant and he loved serving people by feeding them.  Whether it was at the WCFA Cowboy Camp, at an A&M tailgate or Bonfire, or in the Fellowship hall at Fellowship of Huntsville, Jim took great joy in preparing and serving people great food and only God knows how many people Jim fed over the years.

Jim also loved to garden and was an active member of the Walker County Master Gardeners.  When he wasn't gardening, He and Lucrecia loved to travel together and with groups of friends.  During their travels, they visited almost every state in the union.

In his last years, He loved to watch golf and especially root for the golfers that he knew followed Christ.  He also loved to sit in his rocking chair in the barn and visit with friends over an adult beverage and a good cigar and when he didn't have friends over, he would be on the phone calling friends and family to check on how they were doing.

Jim was survived by his wife, Lucrecia of Huntsville, son and daughter in law, John and Cynthia Burnett, and granddaughter, Reagan of Bremond, TX and grandson, Ryan Burnett of College Station, TX.  Son and daughter in law, Jason and Connie Burnett, and granddaughter, Katherine Burnett and step granddaughters, Jacey and Jayden Mathis, and Steely Nelson of Huntsville.  He is also survived by his sister, Mary Davis of Yukon, OK, sister in law, Teenie Burnett of Abernathy, TX and brother in law, Jerry Nichols of Lubbock TX, step sister Kathy Roe, along with 13 beloved nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his younger sister Linda Nichols of Lubbock, TX and his older brother, Bobby Burnett of Abernathy, TX.  He was also preceded in death by friends that he loved like brothers:  Roy Moss of Huntsville, Jerry Denzlinger of New Caney, TX, Jim Olson of Willis, TX, Spencer Karr of Huntsville, and Roark Rohe of Huntsville.

We would like to thank all our friends and family for their prayers and kind words since Jim's passing.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be submitted to the:

Mighty Oaks Foundation

https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org

33134 Magnolia Cir Suite A Unit 10, Magnolia, TX 77354

Care Center of Huntsville

1215 15th St, Huntsville, TX 77340