Jonathan "Jon" Haynes Burnett

Burnett, Jonathan Haynes—age 87, Jonathan Haynes Burnett, Sr. of Knoxville passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Parkwest Hospital surrounded by his family. Jon touched the lives of everyone around him. Most importantly, he was the loving patriarch of his family. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and he spread unconditional love and kindness everywhere he went. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Knoxville, where he served as a Deacon (Chairman, 1970-72), a teacher in the Burnett/ Kessel Sunday school class, and as a member of the sanctuary choir for sixty years. In 1999, he chaired the Steering Committee for the renovation and restoration of the historic church buildings on Main Street. Jon grew up in the Island Home area of South Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1945. Shortly before the end of World War II, at age 17, he entered the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet. After the war ended, he elected to change his career from aviation to law, returned to Knoxville, and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 1951. While at the University, Jon was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Phi Delta Phi Fraternities, President of the Student Bar Association, and Treasurer of the American Law Student Association. Upon graduation, he began law practice with the firm of Frantz, McConnell, and Seymour and later served as City Law Director from 1965-1968, during the Mayor Leonard Rogers administration. On July 1, 1970, Jon became a partner in the firm of Hodges, Doughty, and Carson, where he continued to practice until his retirement in 2004. During his career, Jon was a member of the American, Tennessee, and Knoxville Bar Associations, The Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, and the Tennessee Bar Foundation. He was also a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers. He was inducted into the Knoxville High School Hall of Fame in 2012. In his earlier years, Jon was active as an Eagle Scout and scout leader. He was a licensed pilot who occasionally enjoyed commuting to the office from a small farm on Watts Bar Lake, where he kept his airplane in a barn. Jon was devoted to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Scott and Grace Haynes Burnett; sisters, Helene Burnett and Rinda B. Sliger; brothers, Walter S. Burnett, Jr. and Alfred S. Burnett. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Nancy McCrary Burnett; sons Jon Burnett, Jr. and wife, Debbie of Pittsburg; David and wife, Marjorie, of Mounteagle, TN; and daughter Martha and husband, Dr. David Rudder, of Knoxville; grandchildren, Samantha (Brett) Booth; Eric Burnett (fiancé Erin); Haynes (Anne Porchér) Burnett; Betsy Burnett; Eliza (Brent) Dickenson; Hannah Rudder; and three beautiful great grandchildren. We would like to give a special thanks to the staff and caregivers of Arbor Terrace. His celebration of life will be held Monday, September 14 at 5:30 PM at First Baptist Church, Knoxville, officiated by Dr. Tom Ogburn, Dr. David Hull, and Rev. Dave Ward. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in Trentham Hall at the church. A graveside service for family and friends will take place Tuesday, September 15 at 11:00 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church, Knoxville, 510 West Main St. Knoxville, TN 37902. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel 6200 Kingston Pike. Please visit www.rosemortuary.com to leave condolences online.

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Jonathan "Jon" Haynes Burnett

May 10, 1928 - September 10, 2015