Stephen Ray Burnett was born on September 8, 1956, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Billie Jo Courtney Burnett and Howard Warman Burnett, and left for heaven on Monday, December 15, 2025. He was raised in Oklahoma City and Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he developed a deep love for family, faith, sports, and community that would shape his life.

Steve proudly attended South Rock Creek and Shawnee High School, where he played basketball, baseball, and football. In 1973, he was a member of the Shawnee Wolves football team that won the high school state championship, playing right guard and helping the Wolves finish the season undefeated. His athletic accomplishments and leadership were later recognized when he was inducted into the Shawnee Wolf Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

After graduating from Shawnee High School in 1974, Steve attended Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where he played football and baseball and was part of the 1974 conference championship football team. Following a career-ending injury during his sophomore year, Steve shifted his focus to business education and to his future wife, Debbie Rice. He graduated in May of 1978 and married Debbie on May 28, 1978.

Steve and Debbie began their married life in Yukon, Oklahoma, where Steve worked as a business education teacher at Yukon Junior High, coaching football and baseball. During this time, they welcomed three children, Jake, Amy, and Ashley. As he raised his children, Steve continued his lifelong love of baseball by serving as a scout for the Detroit Tigers for several years, a role he cherished and took great pride in.

In 1984, the family moved to Owasso, Oklahoma, where Steve spent the majority of his professional career working in the oil and gas industry as a contract specialist. He remained in that field until his retirement in September of 2024, earning the respect of colleagues through his integrity, work ethic, and steady leadership.

Steve was a man of faith. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Owasso, where he was baptized alongside his son Jake in 1986, a moment he cherished deeply. He later became a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where he continued to worship and strengthen his faith.

Above all else, Steve was devoted to his family. He took immense pride in being a husband, father, and PaPaw. He loved watching his grandchildren participate in sports and activities of all kinds and took genuine interest in everything that mattered to them. He was a lifelong Oklahoma State University fan who loved the Cowboys wholeheartedly and made sure his family did too, while keeping the Sooners at a respectful distance. He enjoyed good music, especially Vince Gill, the Gaithers, and Dwight Yoakam, and could often be found watching Judge Judy or a classic western. Known for his quick wit and perfectly timed humor, Steve had a rare ability to make friends wherever he went and to continue those friendships throughout his life.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie Burnett, of the home; his children, Jake Burnett and wife Amy Sue, of Piedmont, Oklahoma; Amy Wolf and husband Denton, of Claremore, Oklahoma; and Ashley Dossett and husband JJ, of Sperry, Oklahoma; and his cherished grandchildren, Rylie, Beau, and Jaycie Burnett; Amos, Kai, Irie, Collynnes, Keilynne, and Stevie Jo Wolf; and Kain, Kash, Jude, and Josiah Dossett.

He is also survived by his parents, Howard and Jo Burnett and his brother, Ronald Burnett; his sisters, Cindy Sealy and Kristi Lauck and husband Terry; his sister-in-law Becky Whiteley and husband Greg, and his brother-in-law Greg Rice and wife Brenda, and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Claire Ashley Dossett; his grandparents, Bill and Jackie Jo Courtney and Gerden and Lavene Doverspike; his sister-in-law, Tracy Burnett; and his parents-in-law, Phil and Betty Rice.

Services will be held at Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025.

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Proverbs 29:25 

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