James "Jim" (or "Pete" to many) Howard Burkett, Jr., 84, of Points, WV went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday December 18, 2020 due to a vehicle accident.
Born on July 11, 1936 in Points, WV, he was the son of the late James H. Burkett Sr., and Viola Maye (Brown) Burkett.
Pete was very smart and hard working person. Through the years he worked in the orchard, timber business, sand mines, railroad, and construction. He also worked for Cumberland Contractors, WV DOT, and Koppers Company. He then continued his venture in Points, with his wife Shirley, to start their new home and business.
First, living in Springfield and looking for direction, a coin was flipped to decide the future. The coin landing on "heads" indicated a move to Points. Once there, through hard work, the home place and Burkett's store were built in stages—just a flat roof basement as a home and a small block building for the store to start.
Shirley and Pete were married for 64 years with the following being events through the pages of Shirley's Diary—what a simple and sweet preview of their beginning. They picked up their wedding rings at Harvey's J. Shop on August 26, 1957. Buying what they could afford, Pete purchased Shirley's ring for $42.95 and his own for $19.95. In turn, Harvey's gave them a cookie jar as a wedding present. On September 13, 1957 they applied for their marriage license in Cumberland. The big day came on September 21, 1957—"man and wife at 22 minutes after 7, fast time" with Reverend Hartman blessing the marriage in Cumberland. Their best friends were along their sides as witnesses, Shirley and Waldo Puffinburger. After the ceremony, they all stopped at Fisher and Robinets to celebrate. "Pete and Waldo drank a German and Shirley and I drank a Coke". After that, a change of clothes at Waldos then off to the Crystal Drive Inn. "We saw Naked City, players Howard Duff". As many know, Shirley and Pete never left each other's side—always together on earth and now in Heaven.
Pete dearly loved his wife Shirley and took care of her until the end. He was a very down to earth person. Pete would give his shirt off his back to those in need. He was quiet in nature and very reserved. If you asked him a question, he would not immediately answer you. You just had to pause and wait for the answer. He was thinking it though. His mind craftilly worked to give the best well thought answer. Pete loved to farm, garden, and maintained that old FORD tractor or pickup—yep, he was a FORD man. He was always tinkering with something up at the barn or around the farm.
Along with his parents, he was joined in death by his wife, Shirley Pownall Burkett, and preceded in death by a son, Mark "Scott" Burkett, a sister, Lanora Burkett and a brother, Jack Burkett.
Surviving are five children, James Michael (Kassandra) Burkett of Keyser, WV; Kathy (Junior) Owens of Shanks, WV; Stephen A. (Lori Ann) Burkett of Augusta, WV; Kevin (Mary) Burkett of Romney, WV; Dereck (Sandy) Burkett of Points, WV; two sisters, Helen Hines, Sue Saville, both of Romney, WV; thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday December 22, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Points, WV with Pastor Wayne Stotler officiating.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Wesley Chapel cemetery maintenance fund, c/o Bud Eller, 111 Semper Fi Rd, Levels WV 25431.
All arrangements are being handled by McKee Funeral Home, Augusta, WV.