John S. Ray Burnett

Ray was born on Thursday, February 8, 1934 in Jackson, Michigan to Lionel and Flossie (nee Hedges) Burnett. He grew up in Jackson and attended Jackson High School where he met the love of his life, Carolee Jane Chaffee in homeroom. Ray and Carolee had three sons, Steve, Kevin, and Greg. Time with his family was always a priority.

Ray believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and prayed fervently for his children and grandchildren to know the Lord. He served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons at Ganson Street Baptist Church in Jackson. Ray was frequently asked to sing and play music in church, especially solos on his Clarinet, which he did with great joy.

He graduated salutatorian of his Jackson High class and received scholarships to Michigan State University (MSU) to study music. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in music and was voted the top musician in the music department both his junior and senior years. He performed in the first Rose Bowl appearance of the MSU marching band.

He started his teaching career at Woodland High School in Woodland, Michigan and two years later moved to Jackson, Michigan to begin his 34-year career as band director at East Intermediate, Parkside High School, Northeast Jr. High, Frost Jr. High, and Parkside Jr. High. From 1964-1969 he formed the Swingin’ Eagles High School Marching Band which became famous all over the state. They performed at MSU band camp, Band Days, Holland Tulip Festival, Jackson Memorial Day Parade, Rose Parade and Detroit Lions games, where they were featured on national TV. Parkside Principal, George Keisel said, “Ray – You put us on the map”. Ray was a talented musician, playing every instrument in the band. He was beloved by his students and parents alike.

He loved the outdoors especially traveling, camping, fly-in fishing and especially deer hunting in northern Michigan with his sons and his best friend, Bill DeCoste. These trips are some of the most cherished memories his sons have to this day.

Ray was an awesome father and husband and liked by everyone he met.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Carolee (Chaffee) Burnett; parents, Lionel Burnett, Flossie (Shelby) Hays; brother, Paul Burnett.

Ray is survived by: three sons, Steve (Jill) Burnett, Kevin Burnett, and Greg (Suzanne) Burnett; eight grandchildren, Ben (Sheryl) Burnett, Alex (Emma) Burnett, Clay (Alison) Burnett, Arielle (Keven) Jones, Nick (Lana) Burnett, Josh Burnett, Andrew Burnett and Rachel Burnett; 10 great-grandchildren, Parker Burnett, Colton Burnett, Elliott Burnett, Eleanora Burnett, Margot Burnett, Oakley Burnett, Emmitt Burnett, Carsen Burnett, Lincoln Burnett and one more on the way; and many loving family members and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from noon to 1:00 PM at Timberhill Baptist Church, 144 Timber Hill Drive, Hamilton, Ohio 45013. Memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM at the church with Pastor Scott Miller of Timberhill Baptist Church officiating.

Ray will be interred at Rose Hill Burial Park in Fairfield Township, Ohio.