James Preston Burnette

He was born on July 24,1947 in St. Louis, Missouri to James S. Burnette and Elizabeth Leake Burnette. He graduated from North Miami Sr High School in 1967, that same year he enlisted in the US Navy where one of his assignments was to a landing craft in Danang, Vietnam as a Petty officer third class gunner’s mate.

In 1971 he separated from military and became a plumber. After some time, James then became a full-time police officer in 1984 for the Miami Beach Police Department where he served as a motor officer and traffic homicide investigator before retiring in 2005.

During his lifetime he was a motocross racer, boat owner, woodworker, RV traveler, certified advanced diver, fly fisherman, Freemason, a lifetime St. Louis Cardinals fan and a lovingly devoted father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Lisa Newland, daughters Monique Grant (Jim Grant) and Ashley Burnette (Nic Martinez) and son Phillip Burnette, Grandchildren Haley Sloan, James Preston Grant, Michael and Danielle Martinez.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday November 19,2022 from 4-5pm at forest lawn funeral home 2401 SW 64 Ave Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317 Refreshments to follow.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnsouth.com for the Burnette family.