- Date Of Birth: July 21, 1921
- Date Of Death: February 16, 2016
- State: Texas
Mr. Burnett died Tuesday, February 16, 2016 in a Temple Nursing Center.
Chester Burnett was born July 21, 1921 in Wills Point, the son of Irvin and Helen (Carnes) Burnett. He was the youngest of three and raised on the family farm which is where his early life experiences shaped him into a man of discipline and integrity. Chester often spoke about his childhood memories, sharing stories about old farm equipment, his love of farming and plowing behind a team of mules at the early age of ten. He served with the 4th Marine Division, 20th Engineering Battalion, Company B during World War II and made landings at Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. After his service during the war, he attended East Texas State Teachers College, known today as Texas A & M at Commerce, completing his Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Education.
He married Marian Glass of Rosebud, February 24, 1961 in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Mr. Burnett taught agricultural classes for three years before beginning work with the Soil Conservation Service, an office of the USDA. During his 35 year career, he assisted farmers and ranchers with modernizing their conservation practices and improving their farmland properties. He served producers throughout Texas, beginning in Harlingen, Rosebud, West, Killeen, Belton, Temple, Hubbard and concluding his career in Caldwell. Chester retired as a District Conservationist in 1987. Not long afterwards, he began work with a local car dealership for a number of years and had an opportunity to again work with agricultural producers across multiple counties in Texas through the National Agricultural Statistics Service. He received great satisfaction with being able to meet a multitude of producers and continued this work until 2009.
Chester enjoyed vegetable gardening but his real passion was being able to meet and converse with new acquaintances and old friends. He was always supportive of his two sons in their various activities during their youth and adulthood.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in West, The Rotary Club in Caldwell and the VFW in Belton. He was especially proud of being a founding member of the Trees for Caldwell initiative, at one-time, naming Caldwell a Tree City USA.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Belton.
Survivors include his wife Marian Burnett of Belton, two sons Joe and wife Michelle of Salado and Bruce and wife Rebecca of Bryan; three grandchildren Brooke, Colton and Loriann.
