Jan Kibben Burket

Jan Kibben Burket passed away September 6th, 2021, at the age of 80 years old, in Fort Myers, Florida. Ever, the consummate gentleman, Jan lived life to the fullest and helped those he loved do the same. The son of Oliver George Burket and Doris Jane Gearhart, Jan was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania. His childhood was a series of adventures with family and friends and some of his fondest memories were spending time at the home of his beloved Papap and Nana Gearhart, who taught him a love for animals and many trades including carpentry, antique dealing and even cooking skills. These lessons stood him well in pursuing lifelong passions. Jan served diligently and honorably in the Air Force branch of the US military and he took great pride in his dedication as a steadfast patriot of the United States of America, until the day he passed. His career path as a talented and accomplished Salesman, led him to much success as partner, business owner and always, his own boss. It was Jan’s profound strength that saw him through a successful lung transplant, in which he bravely fought and eventually, beat the odds. This later-in-life feat, led him to give back to COPD help-groups and the very community of the Jacksonville, Florida Mayo Clinic, that Jan regarded as “Miracle Workers” and those that gave him a new life in September of 2009. Jan Burket’s most cherished role was as father to his beloved daughters, Stephanie Kay Blanchette (Thomas) and Stacey Jo Hardy (Gregory) and as grandfather to his grandchildren Alexia Kay Blanchette, Jack Thomas Blanchette, Harrison Burke Blanchette, Keegan Morrison Hardy and Campbell Tille Hardy. He is preceded in death by his brother, Kip L. Burkett and sister, Gay Vivian Burket Easly. Jan will be greatly missed by loving family as Uncle to Craig Easly, Robin Morello and Brian Royer and affable in-law to Rosemary Alexy Golick. Friends and family will always remember Jan, for the way he looked at the world and forever doing it… ‘his way’. He will be laid to rest with a scattering of his ashes beachside. The ‘the world’s biggest sandbox’ was his favorite place, to be.

In remembrance of Jan, contributions can be made to charitable organizations, closest to his heart:

The Wounded Warriors (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.

COPD Foundation (https://copdfoundation.org