John Richard "JR" Burnell

1958 - 2025

John Richard "JR" Burnell, 67, passed away on Oct. 25, 2025, in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Born on October 20, 1958, in Palo Alto, California, he was the son of the late Jack A. and Dee W. Burnell. JR graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1976 and went on to earn a degree in education from the University of Texas.

He was a multi-talented entrepreneur and salesman, managing bars, restaurants, sign shops and swimming pools. Everywhere he worked, he made lifelong friends.

Easy to see why, John had a smile for everyone, and a heart easily made glad. He was an avid cook at home, for The Miller Lite Bunch cooking team and in the restaurants he managed. He enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, golf and pickle ball, having donated towards the construction of pickle ball courts in Cotter, Arkansas. His warm smile, generous spirit, and sense of humor touched everyone he met.

He is survived by his sister, Janet "Rose" Fleming; his cousins, Kemp Strickler, David Wiseman, Julie Reid, Jolene Briscoe; nieces Rachel Wilemon and Madison Pehrson and his many wonderful friends.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Daniel Mark Burnell.

A family funeral service will be held in Maywood, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M.; at indianpueblo.org/support in support of local artist communities in the area he learned to love the art and culture.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.connerfamilyfuneralhome.com