Obituary

Claude A. Burnett Jr., 73, loving husband to Debbie, left this earthly life on March 2, 2014, after complications while recovering from lung cancer. Junior (as he was called by many) touched many lives through his work and volunteerism. Claude was born on Jan. 29, 1941, in Plainview to Claude Sr. and Dora Burnett. He graduated from Hale Center High School in 1959. Claude Jr. married his first wife Bronell Allen in 1961. They had two children together, Alex and Teresa. Claude Jr. began his career with his father at the Western Foods grocery store in Hale Center. In 1967, he opened an insurance agency in Olton and then moved to Littlefield (1971) to start another insurance and real estate business. Claude was remarried in July 1985 to Debbie Cartmell. Claude resided in Littlefield until 1985, when they moved to Hale Center to join his father's insurance and real estate business. During Claude's 73 years, he gave back to the communities of Littlefield and Hale Center in many ways. In Littlefield, he contributed as a Boy Scout leader and coached Little League baseball. In Hale Center, he volunteered to direct the city's park maintenance and coordinated the work of juveniles who were sentenced to public service. In their early years in Hale Center, Claude Jr. and his wife Debbie took over the care of the dilapidated Bell Cactus Park. Their persistent work improved the park to a point where it was recognized as one of only two cacti gardens featured in the State Tour Magazine. Claude also coordinated fishing contests at Caudle Lake for the local kids and arranged to have the lake stocked for those popular events. In 1995, Claude and his wife were recognized with the Citizenship Award from Hale Center Chamber of Commerce for their diligent work at the local parks and residential housing improvements through demolition of abandoned structures. Claude was vice president of Hale Center Beautification Association when it was recognized by the state of Texas in 1999 for their city improvements. Claude Jr.'s positive impact on others became apparent in 2013 when Littlefield's "Man of the Year" mentioned Claude's influence on his life during his acceptance speech. The recipient described how Claude gave him the opportunity to play Little League baseball in the 1970s by paying his way and somehow obtaining the boy's birth certificate, a requirement for participation. After all of those years, Claude's display of kindness and generosity had motivated the recipient to give back to the youth of Littlefield. Claude Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Sr. and Dora Burnett. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Debbie; aunt Mattie Lee Burnett; children Alex Burnett (Mary) of Edmond, Okla., and Teresa Hill (John) of Corinth, Texas; grandchildren Kaitlyn, Megan, Logan and Sarah; stepchildren Tom Cartmell and Machelle Hoeg (Jim) both of Montana, their children Johnathan, Mykaila, Chauntelle and Marissa. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Hale Center Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Cameron, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Hale Center, officiating. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Hale Center. The family suggests memorials to the Hale Center Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 549, Hale Center, TX 79041 or to Hale Center EMS, P.O. Box 1027, Hale Center, TX 79041.