Gary Lynn Burkett

Gary Lynn Burkett, age 81, passed away at his home in Jonesborough, Tennessee, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family and devoted dog, Coco.

Gary was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 10, 1944, to Eva and Troy Burkett. He is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Alexis; his daughters and their spouses, Amy and Paul Moore and Miriam and Chris Scott; his grandchildren, Stella Moore, Roanan Scott, and Jesse Scott; his sisters-in-law, Diane Bortnick and Sharon Burkett; and his niece and nephew, Emily Mounts and Jeremy Burkett.

Gary was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Glen Burkett.

Gary graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit and went on to receive a B.A. in sociology from Wayne State University, a B.D. from Chicago Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Gary worked from 1974-1981 as a researcher and faculty member in the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he published foundational studies on the demand for part-time residency programs and the priorities of continuing medical education directors.

In 1981 Gary and his family moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, where he assumed a position as professor and Director of the Division of Research and Evaluation in the newly formed Department of Family Medicine at East Tennessee State University’s College of Medicine. During his time at ETSU, Gary’s work focused on the design and teaching of research and on its implementation and funding. He took pride in working to better understand the forces affecting individual and community health, particularly in rural areas of Upper East Tennessee, and in seeking solutions for improving healthcare access and enhancing health outcomes. Gary also held adjunct positions in the ETSU Department of Sociology and Anthropology and in the Department of Family/Community Nursing. Gary retired from ETSU in late 2000.

After retiring from the university, Gary worked as an independent grant writing consultant, primarily supporting medical residency programs across the country. He also assisted with grant development in several community nonprofit organizations in Upper East Tennessee that aligned with his personal interests, including the Heritage Alliance and Jonesborough Locally Grown (umbrella organization for Boone Street Market and Jonesborough Farmers Market). Gary enjoyed collaborating with the community of Butler, Tennessee, as they planned and built the Butler Museum, telling the story of Old Butler, “the town that wouldn’t drown” when the TVA built a dam in 1948.

High school sweethearts Gary and Alexis married in Detroit on September 11, 1965, just before their senior year of college. Throughout their shared life journey, they developed deep lifelong, loving ties with friends in each of the places they came to call home–Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Johnson City, and Jonesborough. When their daughters were growing up, Gary and Alexis created many treasured memories for their family, including special times at Roan Mountain and an incredible six week camping trip out west to California, north up the Pacific Coast, east to Michigan, and south to their Tennessee home. There was nothing Gary was prouder of than being the father of Amy and Miriam–until he became the adoring papa of Stella, Roanan, and Jesse. Gary dearly loved hearing about and actively supporting his grandchildren’s interests and pursuits. Having his amazing sons-in-law Paul and Chris was icing on the carrot cake he loved! While Gary kept a welcoming lap for several cats during his life, it was his dogs–Topsy, Muffin, Buster, Freddie, Zeke, and his dear Coco–that were his most-loved, four-footed family members and constant companions.

Church and family were the pillars of Gary’s young life. More than a Sunday service, the church community was integral to his family’s everyday rhythms, and from an early age, Gary aspired to become a minister. He was very active in church life and church camps, serving as camp counselor, recreation director, and even as the camp bus driver bustling campers between Detroit and the camp in northern Michigan. In high school, Gary was elected president of the Detroit Area Methodist Youth Fellowship. While in college, he served as a lay associate minister and recreation director in a Detroit neighborhood church. He continued along this path to Chicago Theological Seminary. After graduation, Gary’s career path changed from one focused on ministry to academia. However, for his entire life, Gary’s deep service in lay ministry continued, as he remained actively involved in church leadership, church choirs, teaching, and participation in leading worship.

A love of music, central to Gary’s childhood, extended throughout his life. Gary enjoyed listening to, singing, and playing music of many genres and could recite the lyrics to nearly any gospel tune, old standard, country standard, folk song, or John Prine song. He played, at various times in his life, ukulele, banjo, and guitar. He wanted to be remembered as a “noted shower singer and aspiring ukulele player.”

Gary was an engaging writer, a wordsmith. He said that talent was one he developed under the tutelage of a favorite high school English teacher. That gift of writing served him well in his profession as well as in other parts of his life. In church he wrote and delivered occasional sermons, beautiful prayers, and even children’s sermons. He could be counted on to craft a well-written poem for a birthday, holiday missive, or wedding toast, and he loved the opportunity to celebrate an occasion through his words.

Gary was an accomplished watercolor artist, producing most of his celebrated paintings after losing sight in one eye at the age of 65. While he first painted in high school, he put his brushes away for 50 years, next picking them up again shortly after his retirement. His favorite subjects included rusted trucks and tractors, coastal scenes, and his family. He was proud of his sketchbook of ships and lighthouses of the Great Lakes. He had memories of seeing several of the magnificent ships pass by his family’s cottage on a river between Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

Gary often drew inspiration for his artwork from places he loved vacationing at the water’s edge–summer weeks in coastal Maine with dear friends, spring weeks on Ocracoke Island, autumn weeks on Edisto Island, and summer vacations at his family’s cottage on Stag Island. His heart seemed to especially cherish the Great Lakes, having lived a short walk to Lake Michigan during his years in Chicago. He had a small daysailer there and said his times on that little boat were some of the happiest of his life.

With hometown sport loyalties formed in his early years, Gary was an avid Detroit Tigers fan in good years and in bad; a Tigers cap generally topped his head.

Gary’s warm and caring spirit, which he generously shared with loved ones and strangers alike; his corny yet keen sense of humor; and his hopeful and endearing determination for working towards peace and justice in our world will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) or to The McKinney Center in Jonesborough.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life and a Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 2PM on Saturday, August 1, at Jonesborough Presbyterian Church.

Memories and condolences may be shared via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is honored to serve the Burkett family. (423) 282-1521