Obituary for Jimmy "Jim" Burnell
Please copy and paste this link to view Jim's funeral service https://vimeo.com/event/9840
Jimmy Joe "Jim" Burnell left this earthly life in the early morning hours on Wednesday October 7, 2020 at the age of 61. Jim had been battling cancer for 3 years, but lived his life to the fullest. Jim was born to James and Betty Burnell on May 7, 1959 in Oklahoma City. He was raised in South OKC and was active on many sports teams during his youth. Jim’s favorites were baseball and football. He played in youth leagues, Jr. High, High School and College. Jim graduated from Moore High School in 1977 and attended Sooner Trade school and Rose State to become a certified Heating and Air Technician.
In 1979 Jim married the love of his life, Laura Holder, and they were blessed with two children, Lyndsie and Joe. Jim and his wife recently celebrated 41 years of marriage this past June. Jim worked hard to provide for his family and was very successful in his profession. For the past 12 years, Jim worked for AKG/Southwest Facilities Support Services and was their Assistant Project Manager. Prior to AKG/Southwest Facilities, he worked for Moore Public Schools for 16 years, M&K Mechanical and Bliss Electric.
Jim enjoyed playing sports in his younger years but also continued to do so playing in adult leagues until his mid-thirties. Jim was a member of the Moore High School Baseball Alumni Association for a number of years. When he decided to hang up his hat, he began coaching his son’s sports teams until Joe was in Jr. High. He loved spending time with his son and coaching his teams really helped form a bond between the two. Jim was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing almost anywhere he could find a good spot to do so. He and his family have a cabin in Snake Creek at Lake Tenkiller and they have made many great memories out on the lake. Jim made his own bass lures and fly fishing lures as well and had an affinity for different types of firearms. Recently he had picked up a type of taxidermy as a hobby. He dried and prepared animal bones and skulls for display and even made some gifts out of them for family and friends. This hobby was not Laura’s favorite but it did give Jim a chance to express his creative side.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his family over the years. They made great memories on many family vacations and little trips around the state. Those special times will be reflected upon fondly in the months to come. Jim and Laura booked an Alaskan Cruise for their 40th wedding anniversary. They decided to take a major trip for a major accomplishment. Their love runs deep and their bond of over 40 years is evidence of that. Jim was a great husband, father and grandfather. He always loved having the grandchildren over and was excited to spend time with them as often as he could. He loved his children and their little ones deeply and he tried his best to make sure they knew how much he cared for them. Jim’s love for family extended out to their close group of friends. Those close friendships will be strongholds for Laura and her family during this new season of life.
Jim was preceded in death by his:
Parents, James E. and Betty Jo (Lasiter) Burnell.
Jim is survived by his:
Wife, Laura Burnell;
Daughter, Lyndsie Floyd and husband Scott;
Son, Joe Burnell and wife Brianna;
Grandchildren: Barrett Augustus Floyd, Weston Woodrow Floyd, Charlotte Grace Burnell and Elizabeth Mae Burnell;
Brother, Robert Burnell;
Nephew, Brad Burnell and wife Valerie;
Great Nephew, Chandler Burnell;
Great Niece, Arabella Burnell;
And many special friends.
The Burnell family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and caregivers at Integris Southwest Cancer Center for their compassion, love, and support these past 3 years.
Jimmy Joe "Jim" Burnell left this earthly life in the early morning hours on Wednesday October 7, 2020 at the age of 61. Jim had been battling cancer for 3 years, but lived his life to the fullest. Jim was born to James and Betty Burnell on May 7, 1959 in Oklahoma City. He was raised in South OKC and was active on many sports teams during his youth. Jim’s favorites were baseball and football. He played in youth leagues, Jr. High, High School and College. Jim graduated from Moore High School in 1977 and attended Sooner Trade school and Rose State to become a certified Heating and Air Technician.
In 1979 Jim married the love of his life, Laura Holder, and they were blessed with two children, Lyndsie and Joe. Jim and his wife recently celebrated 41 years of marriage this past June. Jim worked hard to provide for his family and was very successful in his profession. For the past 12 years, Jim worked for AKG/Southwest Facilities Support Services and was their Assistant Project Manager. Prior to AKG/Southwest Facilities, he worked for Moore Public Schools for 16 years, M&K Mechanical and Bliss Electric.
Jim enjoyed playing sports in his younger years but also continued to do so playing in adult leagues until his mid-thirties. Jim was a member of the Moore High School Baseball Alumni Association for a number of years. When he decided to hang up his hat, he began coaching his son’s sports teams until Joe was in Jr. High. He loved spending time with his son and coaching his teams really helped form a bond between the two. Jim was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing almost anywhere he could find a good spot to do so. He and his family have a cabin in Snake Creek at Lake Tenkiller and they have made many great memories out on the lake. Jim made his own bass lures and fly fishing lures as well and had an affinity for different types of firearms. Recently he had picked up a type of taxidermy as a hobby. He dried and prepared animal bones and skulls for display and even made some gifts out of them for family and friends. This hobby was not Laura’s favorite but it did give Jim a chance to express his creative side.
Jim enjoyed traveling with his family over the years. They made great memories on many family vacations and little trips around the state. Those special times will be reflected upon fondly in the months to come. Jim and Laura booked an Alaskan Cruise for their 40th wedding anniversary. They decided to take a major trip for a major accomplishment. Their love runs deep and their bond of over 40 years is evidence of that. Jim was a great husband, father and grandfather. He always loved having the grandchildren over and was excited to spend time with them as often as he could. He loved his children and their little ones deeply and he tried his best to make sure they knew how much he cared for them. Jim’s love for family extended out to their close group of friends. Those close friendships will be strongholds for Laura and her family during this new season of life.
Jim was preceded in death by his:
Parents, James E. and Betty Jo (Lasiter) Burnell.
Jim is survived by his:
Wife, Laura Burnell;
Daughter, Lyndsie Floyd and husband Scott;
Son, Joe Burnell and wife Brianna;
Grandchildren: Barrett Augustus Floyd, Weston Woodrow Floyd, Charlotte Grace Burnell and Elizabeth Mae Burnell;
Brother, Robert Burnell;
Nephew, Brad Burnell and wife Valerie;
Great Nephew, Chandler Burnell;
Great Niece, Arabella Burnell;
And many special friends.
The Burnell family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and caregivers at Integris Southwest Cancer Center for their compassion, love, and support these past 3 years.