- R
On July 12th 2020, John Kim Burnett passed away. It was very sudden and unexpected.
He never had an easy life but he always did what he could to provide for his wife and children. It is now with a heavy heart, that I ask for your support in helping my family as my mother is facing not only losing her husband, but losing her house, and her life as she knows it.
In May 1989, my family moved to Reno, my mother being the breadwinner of the family at that time. Unfortunately, in June of 1992, she collapsed and was diagnosed with cancer. Through scans they figured out that the tumor was between her lungs and on top of her heart. During the surgery they removed the Thymoma, thankfully finding that it was benign. This was short lived however, as they then found a second tumor (Lymphoma) that was behind the first tumor. This tumor was malignant and had tentacles spread throughout her upper body. During the procedure to remove the Lymphoma, they had to remove half of one of her lungs, part of her heart sack, and cut and sealed some major arteries and veins. The blood would now have to find an alternate route in and out of the heart.
While recovering, the blood did not completely find a new way quick enough. This resulted in my mother having two grand mal seizures. During these, she had technically died twice and was revived by the mediflight crew. Twice my father was told that she would not live through the night. At one point the doctors told him that he had two choices: let her go, or give her a massive dose of chemotherapy. The dose of chemotherapy would give her a 50/50 chance. He, as any husband afraid of losing everything he loved, told the doctors to give her the chemo. He could not imagine a life without mom. Luckily the chemo worked.
Mom had to have chemo and radiation treatments for months to come, and due to the procedures and treatments, mom lost her vision in one eye, lost half of her lung, partial paralyzation of the vocal cords, loss of her hair, and many other health issues. This left dad to take over as the income for the family, as my mother, would never be able to work again.
He was working multiple jobs, taking care of his wife, and attempting to raise three sons at age 15, 12, and 10. With the loss of mom’s income and medical bills of over $1,000,000, they had to file bankruptcy and lost everything.
In April of 1993, our family moved to Escalon, CA as my mother could not keep warm during the winters of Reno due to thinned blood after chemotherapy. While in Escalon, my father started his career as a Special Inspector. He would commute from the valley to job sites in the Bay Area as far as Santa Cruz. He would leave at 4 am and not get home until late evening to support his family.
In 2004, he started his own business and things started to look up for them. But in 2008, the economic crash forced him to lose his business despite his hard work. He eventually did find work after years and lost savings, but had to take a 2/3 cut in pay.
In 2016, he injured his arm at work. Workers comp and disability did almost nothing for him. He was now without an income and they were trying to survive on my mother's disability alone.
June 2020 came, and my father had what he hoped would be the final surgery on his wrist, allowing him to go back to work.
Everything changed Sunday, July 12, 2020. Dad passed away in his sleep. There were no warnings or cause of concern. He had planned on taking a short nap so that he could stay up to watch the yard sale stuff overnight. He went to sleep at 8 pm for his nap and when mom tried to wake him up at 12:30 am she couldn’t wake him up. He was gone…
Grandma Berta (mom) and Pappa John (dad) have always brought joy into this world no matter what they themselves were going through. Through the struggles of life and being married for 45 years, family (blood or not) has always come first.
They always had get-togethers for anyone and everyone that needed it. We’ve been able to increase our family twofold, just by these two amazing people opening their hearts to others no matter the cost to themselves.
It is a great loss for us all losing Pappa John, but especially for Grandma Berta. She has not known a life without him by her side. Whether it was holding her hand while walking, dancing their favorite song, being supported through her cancer, or even just giving her a pedicure.
Now without Pappa John to support her financially and emotionally, Grandma Berta is at risk of losing her home. Especially with Covid restrictions, work and income is limited and there is just not enough money to pay the bills. Grandma Berta will lose the home that she and Pappa John bought 21 years ago. The home that has been the location for many parties, get togethers and holidays spent with all family and friends. Everyone was always welcome no matter who they were.
Any amount can help, I just want my mom to be able to keep her home, and keep her memories of dad alive in it. Thank you for taking the time to read, and please, always remember to tell your loved ones how you feel.
Please help share it on social media as I don't use it much.
He never had an easy life but he always did what he could to provide for his wife and children. It is now with a heavy heart, that I ask for your support in helping my family as my mother is facing not only losing her husband, but losing her house, and her life as she knows it.
In May 1989, my family moved to Reno, my mother being the breadwinner of the family at that time. Unfortunately, in June of 1992, she collapsed and was diagnosed with cancer. Through scans they figured out that the tumor was between her lungs and on top of her heart. During the surgery they removed the Thymoma, thankfully finding that it was benign. This was short lived however, as they then found a second tumor (Lymphoma) that was behind the first tumor. This tumor was malignant and had tentacles spread throughout her upper body. During the procedure to remove the Lymphoma, they had to remove half of one of her lungs, part of her heart sack, and cut and sealed some major arteries and veins. The blood would now have to find an alternate route in and out of the heart.
While recovering, the blood did not completely find a new way quick enough. This resulted in my mother having two grand mal seizures. During these, she had technically died twice and was revived by the mediflight crew. Twice my father was told that she would not live through the night. At one point the doctors told him that he had two choices: let her go, or give her a massive dose of chemotherapy. The dose of chemotherapy would give her a 50/50 chance. He, as any husband afraid of losing everything he loved, told the doctors to give her the chemo. He could not imagine a life without mom. Luckily the chemo worked.
Mom had to have chemo and radiation treatments for months to come, and due to the procedures and treatments, mom lost her vision in one eye, lost half of her lung, partial paralyzation of the vocal cords, loss of her hair, and many other health issues. This left dad to take over as the income for the family, as my mother, would never be able to work again.
He was working multiple jobs, taking care of his wife, and attempting to raise three sons at age 15, 12, and 10. With the loss of mom’s income and medical bills of over $1,000,000, they had to file bankruptcy and lost everything.
In April of 1993, our family moved to Escalon, CA as my mother could not keep warm during the winters of Reno due to thinned blood after chemotherapy. While in Escalon, my father started his career as a Special Inspector. He would commute from the valley to job sites in the Bay Area as far as Santa Cruz. He would leave at 4 am and not get home until late evening to support his family.
In 2004, he started his own business and things started to look up for them. But in 2008, the economic crash forced him to lose his business despite his hard work. He eventually did find work after years and lost savings, but had to take a 2/3 cut in pay.
In 2016, he injured his arm at work. Workers comp and disability did almost nothing for him. He was now without an income and they were trying to survive on my mother's disability alone.
June 2020 came, and my father had what he hoped would be the final surgery on his wrist, allowing him to go back to work.
Everything changed Sunday, July 12, 2020. Dad passed away in his sleep. There were no warnings or cause of concern. He had planned on taking a short nap so that he could stay up to watch the yard sale stuff overnight. He went to sleep at 8 pm for his nap and when mom tried to wake him up at 12:30 am she couldn’t wake him up. He was gone…
Grandma Berta (mom) and Pappa John (dad) have always brought joy into this world no matter what they themselves were going through. Through the struggles of life and being married for 45 years, family (blood or not) has always come first.
They always had get-togethers for anyone and everyone that needed it. We’ve been able to increase our family twofold, just by these two amazing people opening their hearts to others no matter the cost to themselves.
It is a great loss for us all losing Pappa John, but especially for Grandma Berta. She has not known a life without him by her side. Whether it was holding her hand while walking, dancing their favorite song, being supported through her cancer, or even just giving her a pedicure.
Now without Pappa John to support her financially and emotionally, Grandma Berta is at risk of losing her home. Especially with Covid restrictions, work and income is limited and there is just not enough money to pay the bills. Grandma Berta will lose the home that she and Pappa John bought 21 years ago. The home that has been the location for many parties, get togethers and holidays spent with all family and friends. Everyone was always welcome no matter who they were.
Any amount can help, I just want my mom to be able to keep her home, and keep her memories of dad alive in it. Thank you for taking the time to read, and please, always remember to tell your loved ones how you feel.
Please help share it on social media as I don't use it much.