James Michael Burnette was born February 26, 1949 in Sheffield, Alabama. He received his reward with our Lord on September 26, 2020 after suffering a major stroke.

Mike, affectionately known as "Paladin" to his American Legion and Christian Motorcycle rider friends, joined the United States Coast Guard after graduating in 1968 from Messick High School in Memphis, Tennessee where he was on the ROTC rifle team. He took his basic training in California and was shipped to duty in Ketchikan, Alaska. There he served on several ships in the Coast Guard, then was a part of the Coast Guard Reserves until 1974. He was a rescue swimmer and engine man. He received several medals during his service including the Good Conduct medal, Expert Rifle and Hand Gun medals, and traveled the USA for the Coast Guard in shooting competitions.

After his military service, he attended auto mechanics school in Florida, earning two certified degrees for auto mechanics and returned to Ketchikan, Alaska to open "Mike's Auto Lab". Eventually, he took his expertise and joined the merchant mariners and work for the state of Alaska. He worked as a 2nd Engineer on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System, serving on many ships until retirement in 2015.

In 2005, Mike moved to Livingston, Texas and married his high school sweetheart Mary Nell Greer (Burnette) and they together owned the local Century 21 real estate office. Mike was also a gun smith and gun broker with a FFL license issued by ATF, and he opened Paladin's Hideout and continued working on the Alaska Marine Highway until his retirement in 2015. He had many hobbies including motorcycles and riding with the local American Legion 402 and the Christian Motorcycle Association Chapter King's Kids. He attended First Baptist Church in Livingston and First Baptist Church in Goodrich. He was well liked by all who knew him.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Mary Nell Burnette; grandson, Davis Vaughn; stepson, Mark Vaughn and wife Tracy; step granddaughter, Shea Lewis; daughter, Michelle Burnette-Lozier and husband Keith, and their children, Collin, Isaac, Bethany and Emily all of Washington; daughter, Natalie Burnette White and husband Joe, and their children, Corey, Janie, Claire, Boden and Cooper all of Ketchikan, Alaska; daughter, Karen Burnette Howe and husband Eric, and their children, Mallory and Carter, all of Rochester, New York; and son, Thomas Kyle Burnette and wife Hope, and their children, Oxford and Emilee, all of Ketchikan, Alaska; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Mike was an only child and was preceded in death by his parents, James and Natalie Burnette, and his grandparents. Mike will be buried in the VA cemetery in Houston, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent in Mike's name to the Fisher House or Camp Hope.

Services will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., at First Baptist Church in Goodrich, Texas with Bro. Tom Owen officiating

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .