A service will be held 11:00am, August 8, 2025 at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home 515 N Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 followed by a reception. Reverend Amelia Fulbright of Congregational United Church of Christ will officiate. Interment will be at 2:30 at the Salisbury National Cemetery where he will have military honors.
He was born in Tampa, Florida to father, Ora Edward Burnette and mother, Franklyn Dale Burnette, May 9, 1944. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Sociology and received his master's degree in Public Affairs at UNC-Greensboro.
He was an Associate Professor of Sociology at Guilford Technical Community College for 22 years. He served his country in the Army Security Agency of the US Army. He was honored by the Governor of NC with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for “contributions to wildlife education in the State of North Carolina.” He was a volunteer educator for scouts, the local library, nature groups, garden clubs and other organizations. He was a serious birder, and student of native plants. He founded the Carolina Butterfly Society in 1996. He was on the board of the local Audubon chapter and served as president of the Piedmont Bird Club. He was also an avid nature photographer published in several magazines. He was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and was an instructor for the Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret Lynn Bumgardner Burnette. He is survived by daughters, Kendra Jane Burnette of Advance and Alisa Dale Burnette of Arden, grandson, Jade Burnette (Barbara) of Hendersonville, brother David Burnette (Cathi) of McCormick, SC, brother-in-law, E G (Bud) Bumgardner (Kathy) of Williamsburg, VA, sister-in-law, Susan Cirulli (Phil) of Chapin, SC; nephews Seth Burnette, Joseph Bumgardner, Brian Bumgardner and Nick Cirulli; nieces Holly Burnette McGuire and Elizabeth Cirulli Rogers.
Memorial gifts may be donated to the Shepherd’s Center of Greensboro, The Audubon Society or Carolina Butterfly Society (carolinabutterflysociety.org).
