Kenneth Harold Burkett

KENNETH HAROLD BURKETT, 80, passed away at his home in Cat Spring, Texas on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.

During his early years as a kid he loved spending time with his parents at their fruit stand. He always had a personal garden and eventually enjoyed a small stent truck farming watermelons and cantaloupe after retiring to the sandy loam area around Cat Spring.

Just before graduating high school, he and a buddy hopped a train west and in order to return home they spent some time learning real work picking cotton. Being an adventurous soul, he joined the military to see the world. He was an airborne ranger in the Army and spoke about jumping out of planes and getting letters from his blonde-haired girl back in Texas.

Kenneth was lovingly referred to by all by “Burkett.” He spent many years in the elevator trade and much of that time married, Waynell, his blonde-haired girl. Together they started businesses, raised kids and enjoyed lake life with many friends and family. Burkett was a big flirt who loved making people laugh and smile. You never knew what would come out of his mouth…. But no doubt he was known by many a cashier and only answered to his name – Burkett!

He is survived by his wife: Waynell Burkett of Cat Spring; daughter: Kennette Burkett of Longview; sons: Steven Harold Burkett and his wife, Jennifer, of Bend, Oregon, and Matt Allen Burkett and his wife, Anne, of Fort Worth; three college age grandchildren: Naomi Burkett, Bentlee Burkett, and Mattie-Anne Burkett; sisters: June Santerre of Houston, and Barbara Doran of Florida; and numerous other family and dear friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Mavis Burkett.


Friends are asked to consider a memorial gift to either:

American Bladder Cancer Society
12 Flansburg Avenue
Dalton, MA 01226-1409
www.bladdercancersupport.org

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
332 North Broadway
Pitman, New Jersey 08071
www.childrenscancerresearch.org/langerhans_cell