Jimmy Dean Burnett

Jimmy Dean “Jimbo,” 83 was born April 3, 1942 in Ada, Oklahoma to Kenneth Aquila and Thelma Mildred (Winters) Burnett, the middle of three siblings (brother, Gary and sister, Janice Kay). In the early years Jimmy’s family lived in very close proximity to Harden City, Oklahoma where his Granddad and Grandmother Winters lived. Jimmy’s daily life involved his grandparents, his uncles, and his aunt, all of which set the foundation for “Jimbo’s stories” that he added to and told throughout the course of his life.

Jimmy attended first grade at Florence Chapel School. When Jimmy’s father returned from WWII, the family relocated to Lindsay, Oklahoma. Jimmy began second grade in Lindsay; he was a Boy Scout and was awarded the Citizenship Award by the American Legion; he was a team member of the “peewee basketball league named Kittens” and went undefeated placing first in league and tournament finals; he was consistently on the Principle’s Honor Roll and received many academic acknowledgements. In the sixth grade, the Beck family, new to Lindsay, moved in one block over from Jimmy’s house and he made his way over to introduce himself to Janice; they became friends and eventually married.

As a teenager, Jimmy played the cornet in the Lindsay band; was a member of the Science Club; he played two years of junior high school basketball and lettered both years. He was a junior high school representative on the Student Council beginning in the eighth grade; worked at the grocery store and the tire shop. Jimmy graduated in May 1960; he joined the United States Airforce in August 1960; and Jimmy and Janice were married November 19, 1960. (Their lives together extended beyond 63 years).

Jimmy and Janice headed to Fairfield, California – Travis Airforce Base. In 1964 Jimmy was honorably discharged from the USAF and they returned to Oklahoma; specifically, Norman. In April of 1965 Jimmy began his 32 year career with the United States Postal Service; during his career he served as Postmaster for Corn and Wayne, Oklahoma, respectively and retired from the USPS in 1997 after serving 16 years as Postmaster for the City of Wayne.

Jimmy is remembered by his family as a genuine, loyal, kind, humble, steadfast, caring man that always placed family above himself. The memories that his grandchildren Gabrielle and Aaron have of “their Jimbo” along with “Jimbo’s stories” will forever be in their hearts and the hearts of anyone that had the honor of knowing him.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his wife Janice Ruth Burnett, his brother Gary Burnett, sister-in-law Kris Burnett, his father and mother Kenneth and Thelma Burnett and is survived by his daughter Gretchen Samuels and her husband Miguel of Norman, his son Mark Burnett and his wife Joni (Nathan and Nicole Nelson) of Oklahoma City, his grandchildren Gabrielle Samuels of Oklahoma City, Aaron Samuels of Irving, Texas, his sister Janice Kay Shanahan and her husband Ed of Littleton, Colorado, cousin Jerry Winters of Harden City, cousin Bob Winters and his wife Jean of Pittsburg, Kansas and nieces, nephews and extended family.

Jimmy made an impact on the lives of others during his time on earth and is now peacefully resting in his heavenly home reunited with family past. “Dad,” for family present, the love we have for you, the memories, and “Jimbo’s stories” will carry us through. All is Well – Love, Gretchen

A graveside service will be held at Green Hill Cemetery, located at 13639 100th Street, Lindsay, Oklahoma, 73052, United States. The service is scheduled for February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am.