Gary James Burnett

Gary James Burnett passed away peacefully into the arms of our Savior on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 due to complications from pneumonia. He was surrounded by his family with his loving wife and his mother at his side.

Gary was born on May 25, 1955 at Smoky Hill Air Force Base in Salina Kansas to L. Kent and Birgit Burnett. He had many talents, and his greatest attributes were his physical strength and his charismatic personality. He attended Viewmont High School in Bountiful where he played football and was a National Merit Scholar. He was an avid reader and had a brilliant mind. Suffice it to say, his nose was frequently in a book - on just about any subject. He had a beautiful smile and was always kind, loving, and engaging with everyone he came in contact with. He could disarm anyone with his pearly white smile and fun laugh. He loved life and loved to laugh. Gary was highly active and skilled in everything outdoors including hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, trapping, and survival skills. He honed his trapping abilities ridding many nuisance animals from friends and neighbors’ yards.

Gary served honorably in the Peru Lima mission from 1974-1976. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Business Degree and worked as a sales representative. He married Debra Fontaine and later divorced. He then married Wendy Stagg in the Bountiful Temple. She was his soul mate and best friend to the end.

One of his favorite memories was his participation on Family Feud in the spring of 1982. His creative and unique answer to one of the questions surprised Richard Dawson and contributed to their win of $10,000. He was always so proud of that opportunity.

Gary was always looking to help and serve others. Due to his great physical strength, there was nothing that he couldn’t tackle. Unfortunately, in the fall of 1982, while cutting and collecting wood in the Uintahs with his dad and brothers, he was gravely injured when he was crushed by a falling tree. It took several doctors, nurses, and aids to hold him down as they worked to save him. He suffered greatly due to his injuries falling into a coma for 3 months. It was his strength and terrific physical and mental health that helped him to overcome most of his injuries. However, he was left with life altering effects of this accident including a traumatic brain injury. Yet he never faltered in his testimony of our Lord and Savior and was true to his dying breath. With his indomitable attitude, sheer muck power, and unwavering patience, he handled the hard stuff well. For 42 years, he continued to have that great smile and infectious laugh, never complaining or asking “why me”. He was the perfect example of enduring to the end in spite of tremendous difficulties.

Gary is survived by his wife, his mother, his siblings Richard (Charlotte), Craig (Julie), Peggy (Joe) Grainger, Anita (Tim) Hallows, Mark (Jamie), Julie (Mike) Russell, and Daren (Kara); his children Tiffany (Tom) Dewey, Jessica (Tommy) Weyerts, Andrew (Marianne) Burnett, Chad (Jen) Burnett, Jillian (Brett) Bell, Jaquel (Cory) Lilywhite, Scott (Leah) Stagg, KamiAnne (Eric) Dastrup, Stacia (Brian) Phillips, Westin Stagg, Walker (Rachel) Stagg, and 30 grandchildren. 

He is preceded in death by his father and two grandsons Austin and Kailen Bell, granddaughter McKinley Lilywhite, and a special niece Alyssa Burnett.

Gary’s final act of service was to be a registered organ donor. His eyes will be used by the University of Utah for research in Macular Degeneration.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 1475 N. 50 E. Centerville with a family viewing from 12:30 – 1:00 and an open viewing from 1:00 – 1:45. Funeral will begin at 2:00. Interment will be at the Centerville City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.