Stanley C. Burnette

Stanley"Paw Paw" Burnette, 78, of Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away October 14, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Stan was born in Stafford, Kansas, on December 30, 1932, to Glenn and Lorena Burnette.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jan; son Stephen (Denise) and grandchildren Kali (PJ) and Blake, step grandchildren LeAnne and Joshua Wright; son Scott (Natalie) and grandchildren Mitchell and Allison; daughter Gara Griffin (Tom); sister-in-law Gail Ochs (Lee), niece Kasia Ochs and nephews Dirk Ochs and Travis (Megan) Ochs, their children Paxton and Quentin; nieces Leslie Smith and Kelley (Scott) Tiller, their children Blaine and Caroline Tiller; and cousin Jennifer Johnson Kimura (Kris). Stan was preceded in death by his sister LuAnn Smith of Georgia and his parents.

Stan graduated from Manhattan High School and attended Kansas State University, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Business Administration. Stan played KSU Varsity tennis, was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and worked as a Sports Writer and Sports Editor for the Manhattan Mercury. Following graduation from K-State, Stan served his country from 1955-1958 as a pilot in the United States Air Force, leaving the service with the rank of Captain.

After completing his service to our country, Stan began his professional career at Martin Tractor Company in Topeka, Kansas. After moving to Overland Park in 1963, Stan became employed by Dean Machinery Company where he worked for over 20 years, rising to the position of Vice President of Marketing. In 1984, he left Dean Machinery to form his own consulting company - Burnette Marketing Services. Stan faithfully served the transportation and heavy construction industry throughout the State of Missouri and especially the Lake of the Ozarks community for the next 26 years, retiring in 2010. Stan worked diligently with the Missouri Transportation and Development Council to improve Missouri highways and bridges.

Stan's family and wide circle of friends will be forever comforted by their memories of his love for life, community and Church, his passion for all K-State sports, the fun times with family at the lake, his many travels with family and friends, his lifelong love of tennis, his generous service to World War II veterans with the Honor Flight program, and the wit, humor and attitude that defined him as a husband, father and grandfather.

A private family burial will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt, Kansas, on October 17, 2011. Stan's family will celebrate his life at Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri, on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in Stan's memory to:

Golden Cats

K-State Athletics Ahearn Fund

1800 College Avenue, Suite. 138

Manhattan, Kansas 66506

or

Heartland Honor Flight

P.O. Box 2125

Lee's Summit, Missouri 64063