John Quincy Burnette III

John was born March 2, 1962 to Bill and Gladys Burnette at Eglin Air Force Base on the panhandle of Florida. One of six children, John was predeceased by his parents and his three brothers, William Richard, David Kevin, and Brian Edward Burnette. He is survived by sisters, Janet Bennett and Jade Fisher and their husbands, and by his nephews and nieces.

When John was one year old, he moved to Charlotte to live with his mother and three older siblings while Bill deployed to Okinawa. When Bill returned from overseas the family moved to Virginia and from there to Maryland. John was seven years old when Bill retired from the Air Force and the family moved back to the Charlotte area. John grew up and lived the rest of his life at the family home in Matthews. He attended Independence High School. Later, he would ride his bicycle down Independence Boulevard from home to downtown Charlotte to attend classes at Central Piedmont Community College.

John never married. He was a loving son and brother and uncle to his nieces and nephews. He was a gifted musician and played violin with the Charlotte Junior Symphony Orchestra in middle school. He taught himself to play on an old classical acoustic Gibson guitar. John had schizophrenia, and like many people with that condition, he was creative, super intelligent and curious about the world around him and had wide-ranging interests. He loved to make and build things and invent, he loved to work on cars and motorcycles and buildings, on everything really. He was absorbed with knowing how things worked and was famous (infamous?) in his family for taking stuff apart and putting it back together. Well, a lot of times he got whatever he had disassembled back together. Not always. His wide ranging intellect would lead him on to other projects.

John was a quiet, gentle, and caring person. He especially loved his Mom. He was her greatest companion after Daddy died and the rest of the family had flown the nest. His brothers and sisters were so grateful he was with her to keep her company. He was a very spiritual person. His Bible was dog-eared and falling apart from being read and studied. He had many pages’ corners turned down or bookmarked with slips of paper and many favorite passages highlighted and circled. Once an uncle asked him if he believed in Jesus. John looked surprised and answered, “Why wouldn’t I?” His belief and faith was a completely essential part of him. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church.

John’s soul has gone to heaven to be with his parents and brothers, but his spirit still dwells within the hearts of his family and friends who remain behind. John’s cremation is being handled by McEwen Funeral Home in Mint Hill. There will be a graveside service at one o’clock on Friday, December 26th, 2025 at Sunset Memory Gardens, 8901 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC.

In lieu of flowers, John would love it if you would donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, which he supported, at P O Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Or, consider a donation to a charity of your choice.