George Arliss Burnette

On October 5, 2019, George Arliss Burnette passed away at Harbor Hospital.  He was born in Beckley, West Virginia on February 13, 1941 to Edith Elllen (nee Burdette) and James Franklin Burnette. He married Eileen Elizabeth Adams Burnette on May 6, 1962. George is survived by his children, sons Daniel Wade Burnette and his girlfriend Jane Cunningham, Steven Wayne Burnette and his wife Jeanette, daughter Valerie Burnette Edgar and her husband David; grandfather of Rebecca Prodoehl, Tamara Daley, Cassie McIntire, Rachel Burnette, Kyle Edgar, Megan Burnette. Also survived by many nieces, nephews & cousins. He is predeceased by his brothers, James, Thomas, David and Cary Burnette.

George served his country in the Airforce from 1960-1964 in Chandler, Arizona, where he met and married Eileen in 1962. The coupled welcomed their first child, Daniel in 1963. After his honorable discharge, the couple moved to Ohio near his family and he went to work for the Chessie railroad as a computer programmer. Their son Steven was born in 1966. The railroad transferred him to Huntington, West Virginia and then Maryland, where daughter Valerie was born in 1969 at Harbor Hospital (then South Baltimore General). They eventually settled in Parkville and remained there for 40 years. They had an in-ground pool installed and hosted many family and friends for pool parties.

Family vacations were primarily camping at Chincoteague Island, VA. They also enjoyed trips to Hershey Park, Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion as well as the annual trip to Ocean City with Job’s Daughters Mothers’ Day weekend. He took the family on a long trip out west and saw the Grand Canyon and other national parks. George enjoyed: country music; golf and fishing; spending time with family; reading and watching Westerns; tinkering and building things; animals despite saying he didn’t; his grandchildren and spending time with friends Peg, Rose and Larry; loved Tony Paco’s restaurant in Toledo; grilling and held “seafood festivals” for the family (he didn’t like seafood). Both George and Eileen enjoyed ceramics and owned Northwind Ceramics on Harford Road in Parkville in the 1980’s. After retiring from the CSX Railroad, George became a Snap On industrial tool representative. A naturally born salesman, he enjoyed calling on customers and giving safety demonstrations, one of the few reps who did so for incarcerated men in Jessup.  

He was Past Master of Mt. Moriah Lodge, Free Masons of Maryland and actively participated in charity initiatives through the lodge; Past Associate Grand Guardian; Internal Order of Job’s Daughters; Past Associate Guardian Bethel #36, IOJD; Past Cub Scout Master; was in Boy Scouts of America and Sea Explorers as part of Scouts in Ohio; member of East Toledo Baptist Church.

Family and friends will honor and celebrate George’s life at the Evans Life Celebration Home-Bel Air, 3 Newport Drive (Rt. 23 & Rt. 24), Forest Hill on Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 4-8 P.M. with a Masonic Service starting at 4. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10:00 A.M. Interment Bel Air Memorial Gardens. If desired, Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in George’s memory.

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