John Thurman Burnett

John Thurman Burnett, age 76, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023 He was born January 8, 1947 in Bartow, Florida to Thurman Drew & Arlene Powell Burnett. The family moved to Tallahassee where John and his sister, Beverly grew up. John graduated from Florida State University in 1969. He was in the Air Force from September 1969 to 1973 as personnel officer. He received his Masters degree from Troy University. He enjoyed his careers as human resource director, financial planner and drug counselor. John leaves a wife Mary; daughter, Jennifer Shannon, and son and his family Ryan and Zoe, his granddaughters, Lily and Emma Burnett. Step children, Ben Smith; Marina and Jerry Caldwell, and daughters, Dori and Karis Ginn and Mischa Caldwell. John was always interested in the activities of his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed seeing any pictures that were texted. He especially enjoyed facetime with Lily and Emma. John is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Robert Bryant, whom he loved as a brother. Besides Robert and Beverly, John oved all of his nieces and nephews: Christie Crosby, her late husband Jason; and children, Courtney and Jacob; his nephew Rob, and children, Kaitlyn and Austin. John often recalled the good times he had with his father on Boy Scout rips, as well as family trips out west to visit his father's family. They visited many national parks and John's parents required him to make notes about the places they visited and what he had learned. He also loved his father and mother's extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. When he visited Florida, he and Beverly would visit as many as possible. He enjoyed his work as a teen-ager at Winn-Dixie, his motorcycle and Corvette, and loved to watch and support FSU sports games his whole life. Graveside service will be held 11:00 am Friday, October 6, 2023, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Meade, FL with Pastor Kenny Slay officiating. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com