Dr. Clyde Russell Burnette Jr.

Dr. Clyde Russell Burnette, Jr. "Rusty" 52, of Chicago, passed away in Chicago, Ill., on Saturday, December 30, 2017, surrounded physically and spiritually by his loving family and friends. Born on March 1, 1965, in Danville, Va., he was the son of Judith (Cook) Burnette and the late Clyde R Burnette. Rusty received his education at local elementary schools, Tunstall High School and Virginia Tech where he received his BA in Education. Rusty pursued advanced studies and received his Master's Degree in Special Education from the College of William and Mary in 1992 and his Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003. Rusty also received an advanced degree for principal training through National-Louis University (New Leaders for New Schools) in 2007. Rusty's life was devoted to home and family, social justice, and teaching, caring and advocating for special needs students who were most vulnerable to being left behind or forgotten. His early teaching days included Special Education at a struggling Chicago Public School where he, along with the principal and other teachers, turned the school around from a failing to an academically advanced school sought out by local residents. After receiving his Ph.D, he taught at Roosevelt University in Chicago before deciding that working directly with the student population is where his heart lie. In 2008, he became a Chicago Public High School Principal of students with special needs at Jacqueline Vaughn Occupational High School where he implemented programs focused on helping young adults become self-sufficient, confident of their skills as contributing and valued citizens. Under Rusty's sponsorship, the high school forged business partnerships that trained students in culinary preparation, food handling and taught other job skills to help lay the foundation for an independent life for the students. Outside of school, Rusty's talents lay in gardening, design and decorating where he was sought after frequently for his artistic eye and discoverer of hidden gems and beauty. Rusty is survived by his partner, Bill DeMarco of Chicago; his mother, Judy Burnette of Danville, Va.; his sister, Wendy of Cascade, Va.; niece, Melanie Burnette of San Jose, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Barbara Masciangelo-Miller of New York City, Liz Valeo of Madison, Wisc., and Gloria DeMarco of Kenosha, Wisc.; brother-in-law, John DeMarco of Kenosha, Wisc.; many more loving nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Robyn Robertson Bridges of Danville. Rusty is further survived by his faithful dog, Darby, and many loving friends, grieving colleagues and grateful students. Along with his father, Clyde, he was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Charles S and Lillian W Cook and Charlie Russell and Doris M Burnette; and dear pets, Skip, Penny, and Schroeder. Rusty and Bill received tremendous support and love through the pastors and congregation of Epiphany United Church of Christ in Chicago. Memorial services celebrating the life of Rusty will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, from 2 until 4 p.m. at St Luke's United Methodist Church in Danville. You may gather starting at 1:30 p.m. and there will be a reception following the service to visit with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Vaughn Occupational High School Donation (see "Donate of Friends of Vaughn" - gofundme.com); Danville Pittsylvania Community Services (donations inquiry, (434) 799-0456); Special Olympics of Chicago (sochicago.org) or the American Cancer Society (Donate by phone at 1-800-227-2345 or mail by American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123.