Mr. Donald Burnett

Don passed away at home on Monday, August 21, 2023, after battling cancer. He was born on December 6, 1936, in Union County, Georgia and lived there for 13 years before moving to Haywood County, North Carolina. After high school he joined the Navy where he served aboard the USS Bryce Canyon AD-36. After his service in the Navy, he returned to North Carolina where he asked Nell Frizzell to be his wife. They had four children Cathleen, Doug, Jan, and Carole. He was offered a job by Martin Marietta in 1959 and moved to Brevard County, Florida where he worked on the Titan III program as an electronics technician. During his time with Martin, he received various promotions and retired after 35 years as an electronics engineer. Don loved the outdoors where he enjoyed fishing and hunting. His favorite fish to catch was bass, but he also enjoyed sitting on the bank catching freshwater catfish with his kids or grandkids. He also enjoyed spending fall mornings in a stand enjoying the day while deer hunting and then sharing in the camaraderie of other guys at camp. Don was a little league baseball coach, football coach and softball coach. He touched many lives during his coaching carrier. He loved sports, had a winning attitude, and won three consecutive championships as the head coach of the Cocoa Redskins football team. He was a hard worker and was either fixing something, working in his garden or building houses. He was always doing something constructive. There was a stint of about 4 years where he worked with three other young men building each other’s houses and was a great example to these young men. Don is predeceased by his father Thomas, mother Stella, brothers Thurston, Denning, Gerald, David, Morris, sister Dorothy and grandson Ryon. He is survived by his brothers Bill, Charles Ray and sister Frances. He is also survived by his wife Nell Burnett, children Cathleen Burnett Broaddus (Pat), Doug Burnett (Lisa), Jan Burnett, and Carole Gilbert (David); 6 grandchildren Emilie Gilbert, Travis Burnett, Cassidy Burnett, Taylor Hartin (Lee), Kyle Burnett (Valerie), and Lane Burnett (Morgan); and 14 perfect great grandchildren Ryon Rabello, Jr., Aubrey Rabello, Jordyn Humphrey, Javari Humphrey, Jace Footman, Nakiya Smith, Kano Smith, Will Hartin, Cooper Hartin, Sammy Hartin, Ben Burnett, Marissa Wilson, Briauna Wilson, Nova Burnett and another little boy due any day now. Don’s service will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Banana River Baptist Church, 6250 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, FL 32953. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation in honor of Don’s beautiful wife, Ruby Nell.

Mr. Donald Burnett

December 6, 1936 - August 21, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Mr. Donald Burnett

December 6, 1936 - August 21, 2023

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information