Eldon Gleason Burkett

Eldon (Don) Burkett was born in Los Angeles, California to Eldon (Al) Gleason and Georgia Brown Burkett. His identical twin, Elton Gale, was born about five minutes after Don. They were so identical for most of their lives, their own children couldn't always tell them apart. From the age of five, the twins worked in movie series such as Blondie and Dagwood, Our Gang, and The Little Rascals. The only film where they were seen together was in "The White Cliffs of Dover" where they played twins on a train.
Don enlisted in the Navy in 1950, serving as a Torpedoman on the U.S.S. Brinkley Bass and Master-At- Arms on the U.S.S. Yorktown. He saw action overseas during the Korean War, including battles where friends were injured and killed alongside him. He never forgot them and attended reunions as often as he could.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department became his career from 1958-1990, and he attained the rank of Sergeant in 1973. His 32 years of service saw him mostly assigned to the Narcotics Bureau, including undercover operations and as an expert witness for other jurisdictions across the country.
Don was an avid pilot. His favorite plane was a Ryan PT-22 he purchased in the late 1960s. You can see this plane, with a temporary paint job, as "Five O'Clock Charlie" in several episodes of M.A.S.H. He flew the plane from the back cockpit while the "actor" sat in front.
After moving to Cottonwood in the 1990's, Don's love of animals saw him rescue and rehome many dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, and other animals. His five acres became a sanctuary until good homes could be found. He broke green horses into his 70's when he said he was getting too old. He continued riding and training horses as long as he could and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to ride.
Preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Mary; twin brother Elton; sisters Brenda Childress and Lynn Lloyd; his nephew Blane Burkett; and his niece Kathi Childress Cockerham. He leaves his daughter,
Loire (Richard) Voss; and son, Mark Burkett. His also leaves his grandchildren Kristina (Sean) Duffy; Logan Geen; Bryce (Caroline) Geen; Devin Geen; Ashley Burkett; and three great-grandchildren Ryan and Nathan Duffy; and Delilah Geen.
The family would like to thank and send their appreciation to Don's longtime companion and business partner, Barbara Webb. Barbara oversaw Dad/Grandpa's care this past year and we are very grateful for her love and kindness.
Cremation and funeral arrangements were provided by Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Palo Cedro, California. Inurnment in the Columbarium will take place at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, California, at a date to be determined by the Cemetery administration.