In Memoriam | John Madison Burnett, 1937 – 2021

||| FROM EVANS FUNERAL CHAPEL |||

John Madison Burnett, a retired supervisor with the Monterey County Probation Department, died April 10, 2021 of natural causes in Friday Harbor WA where he has lived for the last three years in the good company of his family. He was 84 years of age.

John Madison Burnett, Jan. 14, 1937 — Apr. 10, 2021

Born January 14, 1937 in San Francisco, John grew up south of San Francisco in the Burlingame area, attending Hoover Elementary School and Burlingame High School. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1960 with a bachelors degree in Anthropology. Shortly thereafter, he and the former Sally Mullen (Vivien Burnett) of Burlingame were married, giving birth to two daughters. They settled in Livermore CA to raise their children.

In 1962, after satisfying his military obligation as an Army Medic, John began his career as a probation officer with the Alameda County Probation Department. Nine years later, he accepted a position with the Monterey County Probation Department, earned his Master’s Degree in Corrections from the San Jose State University, and eventually retired from the department in May 1993.

Over the next twenty years, he spent much of his time volunteering as a marshal for local golf events (AT&T Pro-Am, Calloway Invitational, First Tee Open, and twice at the US Open at Pebble Beach), and with animal welfare groups (Wild Things Wild Animal Training Center, SPCA Wildlife Center, and The Oceanic Society which took him on two research expeditions in South America). John also enjoyed a number of other interests. He was an avid skier from the age of ten and was a member of the 1959-60 U.C. Ski Team.

In 1978 he took up the playing of the bagpipes and was a member of the First Salinas Valley Highlanders Pipe and Drum Band (later, the Salinas Pipe Band) with whom he played in numerous performances and competitions for the next twenty years. He continued playing in later years, but mostly for his own enjoyment. Other interests included golf, sailing, fishing and traveling, the latter with his former companion, Dianna Holder, in their motor home with their beloved cat, Lenny. Together, they explored thirty-nine states, including Alaska, along with parts of Mexico and Canada. He held membership in the Sigma Nu Fraternity, The California Probation, Parole, and Corrections Association, the House of Burnett Scottish Society, and the Monterey and Twain Harte SIRS. In December of 2012, He sold the Indian Springs home of twenty years, and relocated to his beloved childhood stomping grounds of Pinecrest CA, Twain Harte area where he resided until June of 2019.

John is survived by his two daughters: Myah Thompson (Lloyd), and Ricarda Burnett, both of Friday Harbor, WA., two granddaughters, Sorelle (Brian Bresee), and Juniper Thompson, both of whom reside in the Eureka area of Northern California, a grandson Guthrie Burnett-Tison who is living in Montreal and graduating from Concordia University with a degree in Music Composition. Great Grandchildren: Penelope Miller and baby boy due in June of 2021 (Juniper), Ryder and Stella Bresee (Sorelle and Brian). He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazen and Gladys Burnett, and two sisters, Glenna MacKenzie, and Barbara Wells.

At his request, there will be no service. His ashes will be scattered at a pre-determined area in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. Donations in Mr. Burnett’s name may be made to the Monterey County SPCA. To share memories of John, please sign his guestbook at www.evanschapel.com.