DERRELL BURNETTE

1929 - 2022

DERRELL BERTON

BURNETTE

Nov. 27, 1929 Mar. 27, 2022

Derrell Berton Burnette was born to Orcie and Irene Burnette on November 27, 1929 in Brawley, California. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 27, 2022 in Minersville, Utah.

Derrell was raised in Westmorland and attended Westmorland Elementary School and graduated from Brawley Union High School. As a young boy Derrell developed a love of the outdoors from his father and became an avid lifelong outdoorsman. Derrell's father passed away when he was just nine years old. Two friends of his father's took Derrell under their wings and helped him learn to hunt, fish, camp, and hone his outdoor skills. He spent much of his recreational time fishing and hunting and spent countless days and hours roaming around and camping in his beloved desert. Derrell was a founding member of Desert Wildlife Unlimited and was instrumental in helping dig and build wells for the desert mule deer.

He met the love of his life, Colene Wilde, at a rodeo in Westmorland in 1948. Derrell and Colene married in July of 1949 in Oakley, Utah and made their home in Westmorland where they reared six children. Derrell first worked for Agro, and then went to work for Southern California Gas Company where he started as an arc welder and worked his way up to finish out his career as Distribution Construction Supervisor.

Derrell joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1962. Derrell and Colene were sealed for time and eternity in the LDS Los Angeles temple in April of 1963. Derrell remained an active member of the Church and served selflessly in many capacities. He served in the Bishopric and the High Council, and as a Sunday School teacher. He was also the church's Troop #29 Boy Scout master for sixteen years where he taught, mentored, and shared his skills with many young men.

After he retired Derrell spent a few years kicking around in the desert until Colene retired. In 1994 they moved to Minersville, Utah where he quickly made many new friends. Derrell spent his final years in Utah hunting, fishing, growing his garden, and fulfilling one of his most cherished activities, being Gramps to his 62 grandchildren.

Derrell was preceded in death by his parents, Orcie and Irene; wife, Colene; son, Burl, and his sisters, Beverly and Karen. He is survived by his children, Lynn Smith (Keith), Elizabeth Willingham (Robert), Blaine (Sara), Marjorie McLaughlin (Thomas), Matthew, and daughter-in-law, Nella Burnette, 16 grandchildren; 45 great grandchildren; and one great, great grandson, many other relatives, and friends too numerous to count.

Services for Derrell will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the LDS Chapel in Minersville, Utah. Viewing will be from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, with the service to follow at 11 AM. For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed at www.sumortuary.org, (Obituary-click on Derrell Burnette). Interment will be in the Minersville Utah Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.mortuary.org.