Dee James Burnett

Dee James Burnett, age 85, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at South Lincoln Medical Center, in Kemmerer, WY surrounded by family.

He was born July 3, 1938 in Roy, Utah to  Percy and Velma (Barton) Burnett.  The family moved to Kemmerer in 1947 whjere Dee met Joan Wiatrowski whom he married in the Salt Lake temple on August 28, 1957.

After graduating from Kemmerer High School in 1956, Dee opened his own gas and service station, started distribution businesses with All-Star Dairy and Pepsi, and owned and operated Dee's Motel.  Later, as an employee at the Naughton power plant he held various positions: lab supervisor, safety director, and operations shift supervisor.  He retired from the plant in 1990, and with his wife were called as LDS missionaries to the Singapore Mission, living in Bangalore, India for eighteen months, and following that a mission to the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.  In addition, they served as temple workers in the Ogden, Utah and Afton, Wyoming temples.

Dee loved church work and faithfully served in many positions including ward bishop and counselor in the stake presidency.

When people would complain about the high cost of living in Kemmerer, he would say, "That's the price you pay to live in paradise."

As a young man he loved to chase and catch wild horses with friends, and was passionate abut elk hunting, bagging over sixty of them.  He loved bowling, his horse Poco, and the Boy Scouts of America where he earned his Eagle rank and Silver Explorer Medal.  He loved his ever-growing family, and is fondly remembered by his children and grandchildren for teaching them many valuable life lessons.  He will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Joan Burnett, a daughter Julie (Eric) Backman off Diamondville, WY, son Darwin (Barbara) Burnett, of Craig, CO, and a son, James (Debbie) of Kemmerer, WY.  Dee had fourteen grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Dee is preceded in death by his parents, and a grandson, Steven Burnett.

Private family graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 12 Noon at the South Lincoln Cemetery, Kemmerer, WY.