Chester Ivan Burnett, Jr.

CHESTER IVAN BURNETT, JR. age 82, loving father of Cathleen “Cat” Pearson, Michael Burnett, Caren Hibbitts (husband Porter), Sharon Simons (husband Karl), and Susan Mickovic; devoted grandfather of Natika, Aurora, Christian, Jared, Sara and the late Kari; cherished son of the late Chester, Sr. and Sarah (nee Dissette); dearest brother of George Burnett; dear great-grandfather, dear uncle and great-uncle of many. Chester proudly served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy.

I’m sure everyone starts out by saying, “My Father was an amazing man.” But mine really was.
When I was a little girl I thought my Dad could do anything. He knew all about horses and dogs, and flowers. He could vault over the highest fences or jump a horse over them. He could fix anything from motorcycles to Mercedes Benz’s. He was an avid photographer and he tortured us with endless pictures that I now treasure.
My father grew up on a 23 acre estate where my Great Grandmother ran a riding academy. She taught him to ride when he was 2 years old. At 8 he began competing in horse shows for Hunter Jumpers. By the time he was 12, he was competing against adults who were riding horses that had been professionally trained. My father was training his own horses at 12 years old. When he was 14 he had accumulated over 200 ribbons and trophies. By 17, he had over 250 trophies and a thousand ribbons. He could jump a horse over 5 feet and broad jump them more than 15 feet. He was up at 5 am training his horses seven days a week and spent six hours in the saddle every day. He also earned a first prize in the Olympic Jumping Class.
To quote the local newspaper, “a champion who has proved his excellence in horsemanship“.
My Father was congressionally appointed to the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. He was a standout academically as well as athletically. In 1959, he graduated from the Naval Academy as an officer. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Defense Supply Agency Meritorious Service Award. His Naval Academy Class of 1959, was given a Commendation by the President of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, “For outstanding service, leadership, and inspiration for our nation”, for their service in Viet Nam.
While in the military my father served as: a Disbursing Officer responsible for the pay accounts of 700 men; a Technical Supply Officer responsible for the shipping and receiving of nuclear weapons; and a Commissary Officer. He was also the Deputy Chief of the Office of Data and Financial Management where he maintained over 12,000 government contracts in excess of one billion dollars. He served as the Comptroller for the United Nations Command in Seoul Korea where he was responsible for the justification and execution of a million dollar budget in support of the Joint Staff and UN Command during the Korean Conflict.
As a civilian he was an engineer, and a technical writer for nuclear rad-waste systems in nuclear plants.
My father built his own house in Novelty Ohio. He could do electric, plumbing, wallpaper, flooring, and roofing. He was a brilliant man; humble, quiet, and athletic. He gave up his military career to be with his children and never once complained. He was seven years away from retirement but he was afraid he wouldn’t get to spend enough time with us so he quit the Navy to be with us.
He devoted every weekend to us. He took us Glider flying, dune buggy riding, canoeing, horseback riding, camping, hiking, and snow mobiling . He took us on great vacations. We visited Disney Land, Disney World, Williamsburg, Washington DC, the Smithsonian, Mackinaw Island . . . He was the greatest Dad.
My Dad was my hero. I will always be a Daddy’s Girl. . .
You held my hand
When I was small
You caught me when I fell
You’re the hero of my childhood
And my later years as well
And every time I think of you
My heart still fills with pride
Though I’ll always miss you Dad
I know you’re by my side
In laughter and in sorrow
In sunshine and through rain
I know you’re watching over me
Until we meet again.

We love you Dad . . . Forever in our hearts

Written by Cathleen “Cat” Pearson

Contributions may be made in memory of Chester to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Celebration of Life Service Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 11 AM at THE FUNERAL HOME. Burial following with Military Honors at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Chester at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) THURSDAY 9-11 AM.