John "Jack" Richard Burnette's Obituary
John “Jack” Burnette passed away peacefully Monday, November 6, 2017 with his loving wife by his side.
Jack graduated from Glen Burnie High School and then spent two years serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He then decided to follow his passion and attended the Maryland Institute of Art and the Klein Baum Art School in Allentown Pennsylvania. This led to a long career as a graphic illustrator with the federal government working at the Smithsonian, Walter Reed, NASA and Andrews Air Force Base systems command.
After retirement Jack pursued his love of art at his home studio. His masterful use of color and tone breathe life into his work and thrills viewers with an instant sense of rapport and familiarity. His love for the beach showed in his many paintings of seascapes. One of his greatest works depicts Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and hangs at the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. He was honored to do this for the church where he and his wife were longtime members.
Even more than spending time in his studio, he loved being a husband to his best friend and lovely assistant, Joan, and a father to his five children. They will all miss his great sense of humor, corny jokes and John Wayne imitations. Until we meet again pilgrim!
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Joan Burnette; five children, Sheryll Pyle (Kevin) of Yorktown, Christine Basham (David) of Maryland, Clifford Tichenor (Jocelyn) and Stuart Tichenor (Patricia), all of Fredericksburg, and Frank Tichenor (Janice) of Florida; eight grandchildren, Katie Poirier, John Bobrowiecki, Mitchell Tichenor, Andrew Bobrowiecki, Kristi Tichenor, Jackie Basham, Jonathon Basham, and Benjamin Pyle; two great-grandchildren, Isaac Tichenor and Everett Poirier; sister, Carol Surgeon (Frank) of Florida; brother, Mark Friese (Cyndie) of Maryland; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends.
Jack’s family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, November 13, 2017 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, 308 Hanover Street, Fredericksburg, with burial at 2:00 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery.
Condolences to his family may be shared online at foundandsons.com.
“Not everyone gets two chances at life in this world. I’m one of the really lucky ones.”
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