Donald Wayne Burnett

Donald Wayne Burnett of Boonville passed away Monday evening, July 9 at Katy Manor Care Facility in Pilot Grove after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 66 years old.

Don was born on Oct. 3, 1951 in Jefferson City, the son of Claude V. and Lucille Rutherford Burnett.  He attended school in Jefferson City and graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1969.  He was a member of Pete Adkins’ State Championship football team. He attended college at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.

Don entered the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy as a member of the 43rd recruit class. He was assigned to Cooper and Howard Counties as a road trooper and spent his entire career serving those two counties.  He retired from the Missouri Gaming Division at the rank of sergeant after thirty-two years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  He received a lifesaving award and was honored for the many drug related arrests he made while on the Patrol.

Don was married to Linda Magruder on February 4, 1978 and they are the parents of a son, Brandon Michael Burnett of Boonville. He is also survived by a brother, Charlie Burnett of Lee’s Summit and two sisters, Nancy Mormann (Bill) of Mary’s Home and Susan Lidholm (Eric) of Columbia and several nieces and nephews.

Don especially loved the outdoors and spending time with his son and dogs.  He is known for his sense of humor and for playing jokes on his friends. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, July 12 at Howard Funeral Home from 5-7 and services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor James Elliott officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Johns Cemetery at Billingsville. 

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Johns Cemetery.

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