Burnet Quick

1943 - 2026

Colonel Burnet "Burnie" Rea Quick, USA (Ret.) passed away peacefully at home in Columbus, GA on March 24, 2026. He was 82 years old and, above all things, a fighter. A man who met hardship with quiet resolve and filled every room he entered with warmth and light. Even in death.



Born in New Orleans, LA on October 26, 1943, Burnie lost his mother at age 11 and found his footing with his aunt and uncle, Ginger and Len Preston, in Tuscaloosa, AL . It was at Marion Military Institute that he found his calling graduating as the Cadet Corps Commander. It's also where he met the love of his life, Frances McDonald. He went on to graduate from Troy State University and later earned a Master's in Psychology from the University of Georgia.



Commissioned into the regular army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1965, Burnie gave 28 years to the United States Army as an Airborne Infantry Ranger. He served two tours in Vietnam, commanded an Infantry Company each tour, was awarded a Silver Star on each occasion, plus received the Bronze Star for Valor with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. During Burnie's career, he commanded a Mechanized Infantry Battalion and a Bradley Infantry Brigade while serving two tours in Germany. He was Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany and the United States Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning where he retired after helping that installation earn recognition as the Best Large Military Installation in the world. In 2014, Burnie was inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor.



In civilian life, Burnie served as President of Uptown Columbus, Inc. and launched the Columbus Business Improvement District, playing a proud role in helping transform downtown Columbus. But his greatest title was Grandaddy.



He left his family one last instruction two weeks before he passed: "Don't let people mourn me too long. Make people laugh and remember the good times we had." That was Burnie.



Burnie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances McDonald Quick; daughter Shannon Reid Quick of Columbus; son Jeffery Wade Quick of Atlanta, daughter-in-law Amanda McAvan Quick, and grandchildren Parker Moseley Quick and Lacey Rose Quick; and his sister, Mary Reid Flukinger of Columbus, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie Burnet and Gladys Parker Quick; his sister, Beverly Quick Kearney; his cousin, Peggy Wilkinson Virski; and his aunt and uncle, Ginger and Len Preston.



The Memorial Service will take place Thursday, April 16, 2026, 11am-12pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church: 1130 1st Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901. Visitation to follow in the church. The Inurnment Thursday will take place afterwards from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery: 553 Alabama Highway 165, Fort Mitchell, AL 36856.



In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, The Historic Columbus Foundation or Marion Military Institute in Marion Alabama.