Harold Robert Burnett
Harold Burnett
Harold Robert Burnett, 91, died, Nov. 1, 2023.
He was born in April of 1932 the only child of James Robert and Bryonia Adelia (Pearce) Burnett in Utica.
By 1937, the young family moved to Scott City.
At the age of five, he roamed the streets picking up aluminum foil gum wrappers that he sold for spending money. He later had a paper route. Soon he branched into his own mini-ag business raising chickens in his parent’s yard and had a milk cow. He later began tenant farming in Scott County at age 15 to work his way through college.
He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
At Scott Community High School, he quarterbacked the varsity football team and played state-caliber tennis. He later attended Fort Hays State University where he earned an ag science degree, played championship tennis, and served as student body president.
Harold married Jacquelyn Jean Patton of Scott City in 1952. They raised their four children together in Scott County.
Harold began his teaching and coaching career at Shallow Water High School. When the high school closed, he taught shop and vo-ag “and all else” except art and English at Scott Community High School.
During his 21 year coaching career, his basketball teams averaged better than an 85% win rate. At Shallow Water, with an average of 21 boys combined in all four grades of high school, his cross-country program produced four state champions, one national champion, and one national record holder. An entire generation of his athletes to this day simply refer to him as “Coach.”
In 1972, to further pursue his lifelong love of agriculture, Harold departed from the teaching and coaching ranks to build and operate feed yards full-time and farm.
An outdoorsman at heart, he was a passionate fly fisherman and hunter. While hunting in the Yukon Territory, a grizzly bear charged him and his guide at close range. With seconds to spare, he systematically immobilized and dropped the bear. In describing the event, he said, “When life charges me, I charge back.”
Harold was a master storyteller of biblical proportions. Once he had an audience, he was often heard to say, “Just one more quick story.”
He loved to explain his basketball offense to anyone who would listen, often rewinding a basketball play on the TV and playing it over and over pointing out nuances that most everyone else could not see.
Harold was a lifetime learner. Once he dug into a new topic, he drilled in deeply until he exhausted it. Born into a family of teachers, he raised his children to be the same.
In his final days, Harold continued to reveal his deep personal character. He remained positive and continued to practice his one-of-a-kind sense of humor and build up those around him. He said, “You may not know this about me, but I have as much faith as anyone.”
We all love him and miss hearing his stories already. The man who is larger than life has passed on. Those of us who remain now move forward to carry on. He has prepared us well.
In 2000, he married Bonnie Burnett in Scott City. In August of 2023, they moved to Great Bend. Through his last days with her by his side, he affectionately referred to her as “Bonnie girl.” Their constant devotion and love are an inspiration to us.
Harold is survived by four children and two stepchildren, Dak Burnett and wife, Pat, Kansas City, Mo., Bradley Burnett and wife, Kim, Wichita, Greg Burnett and wife, Dolly, Phoenix, Ariz., Dion Burnett, Erie, Pa., Steve Wiles and wife, Marcie, Hutchinson, and Sandi Oberle and husband, Raymond, Claflin.
The funeral service was held on Nov. 6 at the Community Christian Church, Scott City, with Rev. Scott Wagner presiding.
Interment was in the Scott County Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Gentiva Hospices, 1117 Washington Street, Great Bend, Ks. 68530, or Price and Sons Funeral Homes, Box 553, Scott City, Ks. 67871.