George Arphaxad Burkett, Jr. was born on September 2, 1929 in Lewiston, NC. He was the oldest child of Helen Jernigan Burkett and George Arphaxad Burkett, Sr., and brother to Richard, William, Gene and Debra Lou.
Our Dad held many roles – big brother (“Bug”), husband (George), father (Dad), grandfather (Pop) and co-worker (“Mr. George”).
Dad worked hard his entire life. He grew up on a farm in Hertford County. He joined the military, where he served his country for more than 20 years in both the Army and Air Force. In 1975, we moved to Havelock, NC. Dad then worked 20 years in the Civil Service in labor relations.
After retiring from Civil Service, he was never one to sit still. He found a part time job and was hired as courier for the CarolinaEast Diagnostic Center. It was in that job that he seemed to find his greatest pleasure – he could do the things he loved and get paid for it – drive around all afternoon, visit with his “friends” in the various physicians’ offices and hospital, and still perform meaningful work.
Our Dad ALWAYS had a joke to share (some, maybe not-so-tasteful!), candy to hand out, and a big smile.
To us, it seemed that EVERYONE knew “Mr. George” – he had friends from Cherry Point, and friends from the hospital/physicians’ offices – but Dad called everyone his friend.
While employed at CarolinaEast, he was honored as Employee of the Month in 2000 and was recognized as an “Unsung Hero several years later. He was very appreciative of these awards but always said he was “just doing his job.”
Dad had to leave his job with CarolinaEast in 2016, at age 86, when his health no longer allowed him to do his courier work, or spend the summer weekends mowing, weed-eating, and edging Pam and Lisa’s yards (“quality time” with his girls).
He had to retire his “traveling shoes,” but he didn’t stop. He had weekly Walmart and breakfast dates with his daughter, Lisa, where they would break the low-salt rule, and eat hotcakes, sausage, and coffee at McDonalds or a breakfast “CROY-sont” (as he called it) at Burger King.
On our Sunday gatherings at the house, he’d ask, “Where are we going for lunch?” and we’d all pile into a car and head out. If it were up to him, it would be a fried chicken breast and “double cole slaw” from Smithfield’s.
He was a funny, funny man. He SWORE that he couldn’t swallow his pills without two Oreo Thins to help push them down – only Oreo Thins would work. Mary Poppins had a spoonful of sugar and our Dad had two Oreo Thins.
Using the only technology he truly embraced (his flip phone), he called his daughters EVERY night between 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. – if he didn’t call, we were calling home, to make sure everything was okay. And being a man of routine, he called us in birth order – Pam, Lisa, then Nicki. When asked how he was doing, you could bet every dollar you had he would respond with “I do well for old folks,” or “I’m good for something, but I don’t know what yet.” With Pam, he ended every phone call with, “I love you too, sugar-foot . . .”
Dad and Nicki shared the same sense of humor. She’d jokingly holler at him, he’d holler at her, and he was allowed to tell her the “not-so-nice” jokes that didn’t amuse Pam and Lisa. She made sure that he had his home-made sweets (apple pies seemed to be his favorite) and good “healthy” foods to eat. She even managed to cut salt and fat content, and still make good food.
With Michael, he could let the naughty boy loose. “Let me ask you a question, Mike,” and then, off he’d go. Michael liked to pick on Dad by yelling “GEOOORRRGGGEEE” loudly and pointing at food and asking “do you want some of this?” until Dad got aggravated. The one thing that Michael said he would always remember was one morning Dad was looking at his hair and said, “It looks like I have two dead squirrels on the top of my head. Nicki does the best she can with cutting it.” Dad always had a funny way of describing things.
He was an equal partner with his wife of 62 years, Jeannette. He was known to wash dishes, cook, change diapers, and sweep floors. There was no job that was beneath him. They shared a great respect for each other, and we learned from watching their example. They instilled a strong work ethic, kindness and respect in each one of us. Mom said he was a good man and provider.
He was so proud of his granddaughter Malorie (“Mally P”). He would frequently ask “Have you heard from Mally P today?” He and his grandson Caleb shared the love for yardwork and driving. He mourned Caleb’s passing in 2009.
Although his body gave out, his mind was sharp, thanks to the Word Search Puzzles he did daily.
He was a good husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He took care of people. He was a man of honor and integrity.
There was never any doubt that he loved us – and we loved him.
We will miss him most fiercely.
His remains will be cremated so that we can bring him home, and to honor his wishes we are mourning his passing privately.
Dad leaves behind wife Jeannette, daughters Pam Burkett, Lisa Burkett and Nicki Rowe, son Michael Burkett, granddaughter Malorie Rowe, son-in-law Harold Rowe, brother Bill Burkett, and sister Deb Colson.
Dad was preceded in death by his grandson Caleb Rowe, his mother and father, and brothers Richard and Gene Burkett.
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