Leon Kent Burnett

Leon Kent Burnett passed away peacefully into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father as his family gathered around him on December 2, 2016 at the age of 86.
Kent was born February 1, 1930 in Tremonton, Utah to Myron Leon Burnett and Grace Child Burnett.   Kent is survived by his loving wife, companion, and caregiver, Birgit Christensen Burnett.  They were married in the Logan Utah Temple on July 30, 1952.  Kent is also survived by their eight children, Dick (Charlotte), Fruit Heights, UT; Gary (Wendy), Centerville, UT; Craig (Julia), Austin, TX; Peggy (Joseph) Grainger, Farmington, UT; Anita (Tim) Hallows, Kaysville, UT; Mark (Jamie), Centerville, UT; Julie (Mike) Russell, Alpine, UT; Daren (Kara), Centerville, UT; 44 grandchildren and 69 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Annette Clark, Bountiful, UT.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, James Compton; his brother, Lamar Burnett; a granddaughter, Alyssa Burnett (Mark/Jamie), and two great grandchildren, McKinley (Jaquel, Cory); Austin (Jill, Brett).
Kent loved hiking and scouting as a youth.  He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14.  He was active in student government and sports serving as Student Body President and quarterback of the football team for Morgan High School.
He served as an LDS missionary to the Southern States Mission (1949-1951) and enlisted in the Air Force upon his return.  On a furlough he married his Danish sweetheart and they set off for Salina Kansas.  He served as Branch President in Salina and was instrumental in procuring and helping to build the first church building there.  He returned to Utah where he attended and graduated from the University of Utah in Electrical Engineering.  He worked for Sylvania Electric in California, Hercules Powder Company west of Salt Lake City, and Hill Air Force Base in Clearfield, Utah where he was assigned as the engineer on the AAS-18 Infrared System used on the RF-4C Reconnaissance Aircraft and other Photo Reconnaissance.  He retired from HAFB in February of 1990.  
Kent has served in many capacities in the church including the Scouting program, Young Adults, Bishoprics, High Councilor, and Bishop.  He served a second mission with his wife from 1993-1994 to the Boston Massachusetts Mission.  Following his mission, he served as a temple worker in the Bountiful, UT Temple.  
He remembers the many strong testimonies of his mother and the great influence she had on him growing up.  He developed and often shared his own testimony with others.  He was a master speaker and scriptorian.  He loved his Savior and exemplified his love through serving others.  Kent could always be found sharing his infectious smile and laugh, and giving bone crushing hugs to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  He loved the babies and looked forward to holding, hugging, and snuggling all that he could get his hands on.  He was not content until everyone arrived at family gatherings.  One would often find him standing on the porch or driveway giving one last smile, wave, and blow a kiss good-bye.   
A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, UT.  Funeral services will be held at the Centerville Stake Center, 950 North Main, Centerville, UT, Friday, December 9, 2016 at 11:00 am with a viewing from 9:30 – 10:30 prior to the funeral.  Interment will be at the Centerville City Cemetery.