John was a dear friend in AA. A fellow left-hander and a fellow dog lover. I will miss him. 
Kim

I LOVED working with John and Terry! 
In the early 80’s WDS had a softball team. We played in the insurance league. John made the game fun. The most fun I had was the activities after the game, John would rehash almost every play! 
John was passionate about his numbers. We would often hear him from down the hall defending them loudly! John loved Fridays. He would drive to work in his green sports car and have donuts to share.
He was a kind and generous man. He loved his family, friends,  and his job. He reflected that love in how he lived his life.
Love you Johnny ❣️

Part 2 - Though I now live far from Seattle—on Maui—I’ve been grateful to stay in touch with Kathy over the years and was fortunate to visit with both her and JT a few years back. Hearing of JT’s passing deeply saddened me, as did learning of Terry’s and Mary Lee’s. They were always so kind to me, and I carry warm memories of them that I’ll always cherish. 
To Kathy, Celina, and the children of Terry and Jack Jack, please accept my warmest aloha and deepest condolences for your loss. We all share in that pain, and I hope you find comfort in knowing how deeply loved they were, and how many lives they touched. Their memory lives on in the stories, laughter, and love we continue to carry with us.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have grown up in the orbit of John Bursett—though, he was affectionately known as “Jack Jack” “JT”, or “Riley.”  He was my dad’s best friend, and our families were practically inseparable, doing everything together.  In the groovy glow of the 70’s Kathy, me, and my sister were running wild throughout the house while our parents did whatever hippies were doing back then.
While it may seem cliché to call someone 'special' in remembrance, what truly set John apart was the way he offered his friendship as a personal gift—uniquely tailored to each of us fortunate enough to know him.  Each of us shares something truly special with him—lifelong memories of moments that will never be forgotten. I was just the kid of his best friend, Kathy’s age, yet he never made me feel like 'just a kid.' With JT, I always felt included, seen, and valued—like I mattered.
One of my favorite memories with JT—just the two of us—was in 1979, the night the Seattle Super Sonics won the NBA Championship. I was 16, and when that final buzzer sounded, we both lost our minds. We jumped up and down, shouting with joy, and then tore outside and jumped into his beloved Austin-Healey. We raced all over Eastlake, down to the Seattle Center, through downtown—honking the horn alongside thousands of equally ecstatic fans. At every stoplight, we’d jump out of the still-running car, high-fiving complete strangers who were just as wild with celebration. It was spontaneous, it was electric—and it was so perfectly JT. That mix of joy, freedom, and shared humanity is exactly why I loved him so deeply...and that laugh!
He gave me that moment! It was just the two of us. In  my treasure box he gifted me other memories I cherish to this day. I am quite certain everyone celebrating this amazing human has very similar experiences.  That was his gift to each of us.  It was perfectly tailored and customized for each of us he called a friend.

First of all, I want to thank all John's family members for sharing this great guy with us.
I left WDS many many years ago like 35+ years ago, but I still remember every minute of my almost 10-year employment there.
As a bottom employee, one doesn't just walk into a SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT's office with no apparent reason, not to mention asking for money for a fundraiser!!! But I did!!! It was the period when even $20 was a good money, and he offered me a $100 check, right there and then!
Flabbergasted, barely saying 'Thank you', and walked out of his office.
Ever since then, you can guess my first stop for all fundraising events. :-)
I cannot say enough of John about his quality, sweet heart, and care for his friends and community.
He sure loved his interests for model train, and I thought that was an odd hobby for such 'tough' looking guy, like John. But he was sweet, soft, and caring soul for many of us.
Rest in peace, John!!!

John had a keen intellect and always thirst for deeper meaning in all life.  I remember visiting the cabin (La Conner) and he'd be sitting in his chair reading a classic novel.  Beside him was a beloved Pyrenees.  I'll always remember these moments of him with a book and a dog.  Oh, of course, another fond memory was watching him, and Terry speed a crossed Skagit bay in their boat, just zipping along without a care in the world.  I'm not sure that Terry really cared for "breaking the sound barrier" but she loved being in the boat with John.  He treasured his boat at the cabin.  
I'll miss this man of integrity, quietness and wit.  He was a good man.
Sarah Christensen

John was indeed a special person. I had the pleasure of working with him for many years. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for family and friends.

I'm so sorry to hear of John passing. I worked with him for 34 years. He was a great guy. John will be missed, but now he is with Terri.  My thoughts and prayers are with the daughters 
Sincerely,
Jackie Smith

John was one of a kind, with integrity and honesty personified.  Frankly he was the heart and soul of Washington Dental.  Condolences to his family.  He is missed.

There are so many memories that there is no way I can pick just one! My father was a wonderful dad and a wonderful human being who lived a full life of honesty and  trustworthiness. He truly was a man of his honor! He never spoke poorly about other people, never held grudges and would support anyone who needed him. He is loved by his family and so many people’s whose lives that he touched. When I was in my 20s, I was deathly afraid of spiders and I saw one on my washing machine and I called my dad and he came over late at night to take care of it for me and it turned out to be a ball of string.

I worked with John when I was in Contracts. He was a great guy to work with. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers for his family. RIP John.

I’m so sorry to hear John has passed on. I grew up right across the street from him. He was like a second father to me. I can remember playing ‘off the porch’ baseball with him, in front of his house, pretty well every evening it wasn’t raining! I remember the Tuesday pizza nights with him and his fantastic daughters. I remember the trips up to the cabin, or the various road trips in the VW Bus! He was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, and inspired me to be a better person. I will never forget him, nor the values he taught me. RIP John. 
Would just like to reach out to his daughters as well. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I’m thinking of you! Be strong. And live his legacy. He’s a truly special, one of a kind individual.

OBITUARIO

John Theodore Bursett Jr.

1 julio, 1938 – 13 mayo, 2025

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

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