James Lewis “Jim” Burnett, age 81 of Akron, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, after a brief illness. Known as “Buster” to his family and childhood friends, Jim was born on March 26, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and his family eventually moved to Olmsted Falls, Ohio where he graduated from Olmsted Falls High School as a star athlete.

After playing on a football scholarship at the University of Toledo and attending The Ohio State University, Jim met and married Mary Catherine Greene on December 23, 1965, in Akron, Ohio, and their union produced two children, Crystal and Jay.  Jim also served a tour in the United States Navy, which included a deployment on the USS Intrepid.  After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Jim went to work for General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio.  After General Electric transferred him to Southern California, Jim graduated from California State University at Los Angeles. Jim relocated with his family back to Northeast Ohio and he finished his career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

After retiring from Goodyear, Jim started and ran several businesses, the best known of which was Captain Jay’s Fish Market.  Jim was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eta Tau Lambda graduate chapter in Akron. He was a past President of the chapter and previously served on the board of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.  During his lifetime, Jim was an avid fan of all the local sports teams and enjoyed fishing and playing tennis, but his favorite pastime was golf.  Jim played in several local leagues and tournaments and enjoyed going on many golfing trips with his buddies.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary C. (Greene) Burnett; father, James L. Burnett; mother, Geneva Burr; stepfather, Grover Burr; and brother, Leon Burnett.

He is survived by his daughter, Attorney Crystal Burnett; son, James L. (Ruth) Burnett, III; grandchildren, Savanna Burnett, and Emma Burnett; step-grandson, Lawrence (Alexandra) Anderle; siblings, Mary Ann (Leo) Davis, Janet Burnett, Howard Burnett, Gary Burnett, Ethel Matheny, Charles Burnett, Anthony (Julie) Burnett, Jeffery (Jean) Burnett, and Gregory Burnett; as well as a host of extended family and friends.