Richard L. Burnett

Richard L. Burnett passed away peacefully at his
home surrounded by his family on September 24, 2015 after a long illness.  Richard, known as
"Spider" to so many, was born on October 5, 1947 to Raymond and Earnestine Burnett in Dodge
City, KS.  After moving to La Junta, Richard was employed at Nibco.  Richard then worked at the Otero County
Sheriff's Office as the jail administrator from 1988 to 2006. Richard
retired from the Sheriff's Department and then drove a truck for Chester Bay
Trucking until 2009. Richard was a member of and passionately involved in
the John Fisher Hose Company from 1980 to 1998, serving his community as an
volunteer firefighter and EMT.  He also assisted as an instructor for the EMT classes.  Richard was a  member of the
First Presbyterian Church in La Junta.  When his health allowed, he
enjoyed helping with youth missions and building and grounds projects. 
After he retired he looked forward to the Wednesday morning pie and coffee
meetings with friends from church.
 
Over the years, Richard had many interests and pursued his talents
passionately. In early adulthood, Richard raced motorcycles and won many
awards. Another passion of Richard's was photography.  As an avid photographer,
he seemed to always carry his camera and learned to capture pictures that were
unique and stunning.  Richard loved nature and traveled all over Colorado
to find the beauty of this state and, to him, the most beautiful part was the
area south of La Junta.  He enjoyed all of these jaunts with his wife, his
brother-in-law, Wes Wilson and his lifelong friend, Eldon Warren. Richard loved
to ski and his last skiing venture was with the youth group at the
church.  Richard also enjoyed studying history, hunting and fishing,
woodworking, and riding his motorcycle.
 
Richard loved his family and always remarked
that he was married to his best friend.  Richard is survived by his wife
of 29 years, Dorothy (Dottie) Burnett, two daughters, Shelly (Don) Kuhns and Kimberly
Schmitz, both of Pueblo, stepsons, Joshua (Erin) Harris of La Junta, Nicolas
Harris of Las Animas, and two brothers, Raymond of Hutchison, KS and Robert
(Trudy) of Kinsley, KS, his grandchildren, Casey, Amanda and Zachary Kuhns,
Breanne Hayward, Eric and Justin Harris, Arianna Harris, Grant, Katie and
Carter Pickering, Mitchell Klempan, several aunts, uncles, nieces and
nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Earnestine
Burnett, sister in law, Connie Burnett.
 
Peacock-Larsen Funeral
Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

 

A memorial service for Richard will be Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in La Junta.