Richard James "Dick" Burnett

Richard "Dick" James Burnett, 94, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016. Born to the late Rollo Burnett and Margaret (Molony) Burnett on January 15, 1922 in Toledo, OH, Dick lived a life of service to his country and community. He graduated from Toledo Central Catholic High School in 1940 and attended Toledo University until 1943 when he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces. Following primary pilot training at Curtis Field in Brady, TX, he attended basic pilot training at Goodfellow AFB. He received his wings at Moore Field, TX and was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, serving as a P-47 "Thunderbolt" pilot in the Southwest Pacific Theater. He returned state side and received an honorable discharge in 1945. On September 6, 1947, Dick married Margery "Midge" Hurt in Toledo, OH. They had three sons and shared 41 wonderful years together before Midge's death in 1989. Dick completed his business degree at Toledo University in 1947 and began a 30-year career in the FBI with assignments in New York, Toledo, Tucson, and Puerto Rico. Assignment to the JFK Assassination investigation took him to Dallas in 1964 and in 1965, he arrived in San Angelo for his final assignment. In 1978, Dick retired from the FBI and the city of San Angelo elected him Chief of Police, serving from 1978 until 1980 when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving four terms before retiring in 1989. In the House, he served as the Chairman of the Retirement and Aging Committee and served 8 years on the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. In retirement, Dick continued to serve his community as President of Adult Daycare, the Community Justice Council, Crime Stoppers, Family Shelter, and the Retired Volunteer Program. He also served as the Director of the Tom Green County Tax Appraisal Board, the Public Responsibility Committee, and the United Way of Tom Green County. Dick always enjoyed the many friends who told him, "Dick, you're the only Democrat that I ever voted for!" In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Midge; brother, John; and sisters, Margaret, Mary Dixon (twin sister), and Jane Flis. He is survived by his sons, William (Pamela) of Austin, Thomas, and John of San Angelo; four grandchildren, Michael (Ella) Burnett of San Angelo, Catherine Burnett (Stephen) Fierbaugh of Cedar Hill, and Macary and Macy Burnett of San Angelo; and three great grandchildren, Conner and Julianne Burnett and Ezra Fierbaugh. Viewing will be 10:00am to 8:00pm on Wednesday and 8:00am to 8:00pm on Thursday with family present to greet friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00pm Friday September 23, 2016 at Holy Angels Catholic Church with, Rev. Charles Greenwell and Rev. Denise Bloomquist officiating. Interment will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home. Pall Bearers will be Dr. Denver Marsh, Dr. Ed Olson, Fred Key, Gerald Fohn, Court Soloff, Mike Patton, Dick Robertson, and Joe Fields. Honorary Pall Bearers are Col. Charles Powell, Dr. Tom Camfield, Hon. Robert "Rob" Junell, Louis Fohn, Jerry Soto, and Jimmy Coppedge. The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. Denver Marsh for 38 years of medical care to both Dick and Midge. Special thanks also to the dedicated staff at Senior Care of San Angelo and their Rehab Department for their devotion to Dick's well-being this past year. Expressions of sympathy may be made as a memorial donation to the charity of your choice.