Memorial service for R. J. Burnett, 90, of Wolfforth will be 2 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2014, at Bacon Heights Baptist Church in Lubbock. Bro. Jerry Joplin and Truman Johnson will officiate the service. R.J. was born October 2, 1923 in Newlin, Texas. Parents were W.E. and Lena Burnett Sr. He was the oldest of eight children. He married Moena Evans on February 3, 1946. They had four children - Sherry Etheredge and husband, Rick; Jim Burnett and wife Nancy; Stan Burnett and wife Deniese, and Jana Brown and husband Mark. He had nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. R.J. loved farming, fishing and playing dominoes. He served in many capacities during his life. He was a WWII veteran and held rank as a sergeant in the 2123rd Army Air Force. He was a Waist Gunner on a B-17 and flew nine missions while stationed in England. Awards he received were - three Bronze Stars and three medals, Victory, Good Conduct and Air. He served on Hale County Soil & Water District, the Cotton Center School Board, Cotton Center FFA (Life Member), Texas Farm Bureau, Hale County Stock Show Hog Supt., and South Plains Electric Cooperative Board. While serving on the SPEC board, he was instrumental in promoting sponsorships for 4-H Gold Star Banquets. He was an insurance/real estate agent from 1982-2011. He served as Deacon in churches: Cotton Center First Baptist, First Baptist of Wolfforth, and Bacon Heights Baptist in Lubbock, from 1962-2014. He led numerous lay-renewals in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Canada and Germany. His faith in Christ was strong. He was an instrument to others by showing God's love. He never met a stranger. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.E. and Lena Burnett Sr.; a sister, Billie Jean Applewhite; brothers, W.E. Burnett Jr. and Orville Burnett; and a great-granddaughter, Evie Michelle Armstrong. R.J. donated his body to Texas Tech University Medical Center. His wish was to help train doctors for their medical future. Survivors include: his wife, Moena; and his children; brothers, Kenneth Burnett of Cotton Center, and Neal Burnett; and sisters, Patricia Pat Christian, and Jan Whitfill, all of Plainview. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bacon Heights Baptist Church - Mission Fund at 5110 54th, Lubbock, Texas, 79414.

Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on Feb. 6, 2014