Henry Allen Burnett, beloved father, respected businessman, honored veteran, adored grandfather, community leader, loyal friend, Master storyteller and wonderful family man, was born on December 25th, 1944 to Fannie Burnett and the late Henry Burnett. He grew up in Baxter Springs playing sports and participating in the band. In baseball he set records that are still on the books at his high school alma mater. He graduated from Pittsburgh State University in 1968 with a degree in accounting and was a loyal member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Baxter Springs. A veteran of the US Army, Henry Burnett earned a Bronze Star Medal, one of the highest United States Armed Forces individual military decoration awards for bravery, heroism and meritorious service while serving his tour in the Vietnam. He courageously risked his own life to go back into hostile fire and save the lives of his fellow soldiers when they came under fire from an enemy ambush.
He had a distinguished career in business included his role as Plant Manager of Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard, Massachusetts, and later president of Apollo Industries in Maryland. He was often sought out for his sage business advice and often used his talents to create much needed opportunities for working class communities.
Tragically, a drunk driver took his life on June 12, 2012 as he drove home from a family event. He will be greeted in heaven by his father, Henry Burnett and his sister Karen Burnett Thomas. He is survived by his wife Deborah, his mother Fannie Burnett, his sisters Margaret Elaine Love (Jerry) and Susan Elaine Johnson (Bernard), his brother Ronald Eugene Colbert, his son Allen Burnett (Kimberly) and his daughter Ashley Laurenceau (Sidney) and their mother Ella Burnett, sons Jamal Fuller and Raasan Fuller, seven adoring grandchildren (Jeremy Fuller, Bria Fuller, Julia Burnett, Elaine Burnett, Kelsey Fuller, Justin Fuller and Richard Laurenceau) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday June 16th 2012 at 1:00pm at Derfelt's Baxter Chapel, 328 E. 12th street, Baxter Springs, Kansas.
A repast celebrating Henry Burnett's vibrant life will be held at Reid Temple in Glenn Dale, Maryland at 11:00am on Friday August 10th. It is intended to be a true celebration-not a somber event, but a joyful tribute that reflects what a great business man, family man, and DAD he was!