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.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 10, 1944, to Eva and Troy Burkett, Gary 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. He 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 research director in the newly formed Department of Family Medicine at East Tennessee State University’s College of Medicine. He 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.

High school sweethearts Gary and Alexis married in Detroit on September 11, 1965. The couple developed lifelong loving ties with friends in each of the places they came to call home–Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Johnson City, and Jonesborough. Gary and Alexis created many treasured memories with their daughters, including special times at Roan Mountain and an incredible six week camping trip out west. 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 sharing in 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. Gary was very active in church life and church camps growing up. In high school, Gary was elected president of the Detroit Area Methodist Youth Fellowship and, in college, served as a lay associate minister and recreation director in a Detroit neighborhood church. Throughout his 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. He enjoyed music of many genres and could recite the lyrics to nearly any gospel tune, old standard, country standard, or John Prine song. He played, at various times in his life, ukulele, banjo, and guitar and saidwanted to be remembered as a “noted shower singer and aspiring ukulele player.”

Gary was an avid watercolor artist, producing most of his celebrated paintings after losing sight in one eye at the age of 65. His favorite subjects included rusted trucks and tractors, coastal scenes, and his family. He was particularly 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. 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 enthusiastic 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 to work toward 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; those who cannot attend in person can access a live-stream at the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church Facebook page.