Kenneth Clay Burt, Jr.
May 6, 1943 - October, 13, 2018

Obituary for Kenneth Clay Burt Jr

Kenneth Clay Burt, Jr., was born on May 6, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, and after a long illness, was called home from this earth on October 13, 2018, surrounded by his children.

Kenneth was raised in the Dallas area, graduating from then Carrollton High School in 1961, the last class before it became RL Turner High School. At the age of 17, and therefore having to secure written permission from his mother and father, Kenneth enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving his 4-year term with honor and service to his Country.

Kenneth honorably completed his service achieving the rank of Corporal. Following his service in the Marine Corps, Kenneth began to build his legacy and family.

Kenneth began his career in the food industry in management with Jim Dandy Fried Chicken. Kenneth then transitioned to the restaurant kitchen heavy machinery industry as a successful salesman working for companies such as General Electric and Hobart before returning to the food service industry. Kenneth served many years in management for Grandy’s Restaurants before being promoted as the company’s Master Trainer at its corporate headquarters in Lewisville, Texas. There, Kenneth excelled at teaching and training managers for Grandy’s stores across the country.

And that is where Kenneth’s true heart and passion lived – teaching. It’s no surprise that Kenneth had a teacher’s heart considering he raised 12 children, which included a whole lot of teaching.

He may not have had all the fancy degrees and certifications – but he truly was a Teacher at heart. He served several years at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, as a Special Education Teaching Aid and Assistant before finally retiring from the work force.

Kenneth was also a master at finding fun and free things to do. When you’re the father of 12 children, free is important. Whether it was visiting old cemeteries, hunting for fossils near the Trinity River or going hunting with his metal detector and looking for treasures with his kids, the real treasure was just being with Dad. Who knew going to the dam at Grapevine Lake or riding the tram at DFW airport, round and round and round, or just sitting on the hood of the car and watching the planes land, one after another, could be so very fun? He even managed to somehow make picking up cans alongside the road fun, unless you got your foot ran over. Even his road rage was free and somewhat entertaining. He also mastered the art of either arriving 3 hours before kickoff or waiting to arrive at halftime at any football game with several kids in toe to get in for free.

Kenneth also had a strong affinity for all animals, strays especially, and loved to cook for his family. He loved history, Texas Longhorn Football, and the Civil War, traveling to various sites for Civil War Re-Enactments.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his mother, Anabelle Ling Burt, and father, Kenneth Clay Burt, Sr.

Kenneth is survived by his 6 sisters and 1 brother: sister Judy Reichenbach and husband Neil Reichenbach of Carrollton, Texas; sister Ruth White and husband Bob White of Carrollton, Texas; sister Mary Burt of Carrollton, Texas; sister Lois Weatherly and husband Terry Weatherly of Mount Vernon, Texas; sister Jeanne Hansard and husband Noble Hansard of Valley View, Texas; sister Jo Marlar and preceded in death by her husband Arthur Ray Marlar of Cumby, Texas; and brother James Burt and wife Michelle of Mesquite, Texas.

Kenneth is likewise survived by his 12 children: son Michael Anthony Burt and wife Frances Burt of Joshua, Texas (including grandson Michael Anthony “Chip” Burt and wife Annette Burt, with great-grandchildren Ethan and Chloe; granddaughter Mallory Bocksell and husband Preston, with great-granddaughter Abrianna; grandson Zacariah Burt and fiancé Emily Rowe; grandson Rockne Jenson Royal Burt; granddaughter Faith Burt; granddaughter Pallas Hester; and longtime family friend, Cindy Burt); daughter Julie Kaye Hill and husband Rod Hill of Goodnight, Texas (including grandson Robert Neuroth, grandson Joshua Neuroth and wife Monica Neuroth, including great-grandson Reid Christopher; and grandson William Neuroth and fiancé Kim Mooney); daughter Lorrie Ann Hellcat Bamford and husband Reg Bamford of Edmond, Oklahoma (including grandchildren Aaron and Sarah Corbin and longtime family friend, Tom Corbin); daughter Jennifer Elaine Kamradt and husband Michael Kamradt of Krum, Texas (including grandchildren DJ Hampton, Gracie Hampton, and Cobe Hampton and great grandson Jaxon Kloer); daughter Elizabeth Kathleen Skipworth and husband Jonah Skipworth of Gainesville, Texas (including grandson Dagan McCombs, and daughter in love and caregiver, Leslie Lynn); daughter Erica Suzanne Colston and husband Phillip Colston of Rhome, Texas (including grandchildren Jaden, Emma, and Avery Colston); son Kenneth Clay Burt, III and wife Amy Burt of Lake Dallas, Texas (including grandchildren Kennedy and Clayton Burt); son Matthew Zachary Burt and wife Kristin Burt of Callisburg, Texas (including grandchildren Patrick and Madeline Burt); son John Bradford Burt and wife Sarah Burt of Moore, Oklahoma (including grandsons Noah, Evan, and Ben Burt); son Mark Wesley Burt and wife Ashley Burt of Argyle, Texas (including grandchildren Ellie, Libby, and Jack Burt); daughter Margaret Rebekah Irick and husband Ryan Irick of Lindsey, Texas (including grandchildren Wyatt, McKinley, and Olivia Irick); son Travis Todd and wife Hailey Todd of Abilene, Texas (including grandson Brayden Todd); and longtime companion, Lori Hyatt of Abilene, Texas.

Kenneth is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as so many friends he considered family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at Oates Drive Baptist Church, 2805 Oates Drive, Mesquite, Texas 75150. Burial will be scheduled for a later date at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or your local animal shelter in Kenneth’s honor.