Oran E. "Doc" Burnett

I have so many great memories of Oran, it is difficult to pick one. He was beyond being just a “ cousin “. Oran was an inspiration for me on how to face adversity with single-minded determination . He was like a brother to me. I will miss him dearly. Clyde Stewart

Oran and I lived to Gether I am his niece we went to be eat at all different kind of place we would go to fiesta ,shopping to gather we had a lot of fun ,I will miss him dearly love you uncle O

Thomas Garrison DPM January 21, 2019 Oran Burnett DPM November 09, 1948 – January 21, 2019 One of our best is gone. Dr. Oran Burnett was not visible and somewhat silent in the well known and published community of Podiatric leaders. However, it would be a mistake to say he was not powerfully influential and a driving force behind our profession. He was a front-line warrior in the clinics and operating rooms of the Veterans Administration. Oran touched the “souls” of thousands of our often-forgotten veterans in the San Antonio University/Veterans system. After years of service and teaching in the Veterans Hospital in San Antonio Oran traveled many more years to outlying clinics from Victoria to Laredo until his illness prevented him from further hands on caregiving. There was no greater advocate for our veterans then that of Dr. Oran Burnett. Amazingly he did all from a wheelchair. He was completely paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a motorcycle accident in his teens. Ironically, this was a man who could not walk yet made it his mission in life to help others walk. After a more than a year of grueling and difficult physical rehabilitation Oran finished high school and attended University of Houston where he was active in wheelchair basketball. He mentored other newly injured spinal cord patients instilling them with hope and a challenge to lead productive lives. He was one of the first wheelchair bound podiatrists to be accepted and graduate with the highest honors from the California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1977. His residency was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio under the tutelage and direction of Dr. Lawrence Harkless. His learning evolved and developed into a teaching role when he accepted an appointment to the nearby Veterans Hospital. It was from this appointment that he worked daily with Dr. Harkless in training hundreds of students, residents, and fellows in both podiatry and many other diverse medical disciplines. Some names that carry his fingerprint on their professional and personal lives you will recognize (listed below): Hundreds of others whose names you will not recognize have learned to hone their skills at proper history taking, extensive differential diagnostic skills, clinical acumen, and appropriate clinical and surgical care that have translated into relief in thousands of patients throughout our country. Dr. Burnett is survived by his brother Rex and wife Margaret, and his niece Shelly. Oran was a great lover of life not only in medical care, but adventure, fishing, travel, and music. There was no greater pleasure in his last few years in spending his free weekends, on his deck with his dog, a cold beer, music, a few friends or family, and a fire in his chiminea. Oran was my best friend. Rest in peace brother. “The price of anything is the mount of life you exchange for it” Henry David Thoreau Military Residents: Doug Beirne, Barney Yanklowitz, Richard Jones Dan Meisenhelder, JH Thornburg several became consultants to the surgeon of the Army for Podiatric Medicine Air Force Richard Childers Mary Cook Lawrence Lavery – Professor Plastic Surgery UT Southwestern Javier LaFontaine – Professor Plastic Surgery UT Southwestern Goerge Tye Liu – Associate Professor Orthopedic surgery UT Southwestern Michael Van Pelt – Associate Professor UT Southwestern Tara Deaver – Assistant Professor Texas Tech Family medicine John Steinberg – Professor plastic Surgery Georgetown Residency Program Director Washington Hospital Center David Armstrong – Professor Vascular Surgery USC Keck School of Medicine Crystal Holmes – Associate Professor Endocrinology University of Michigan Gary Rothenberg – Assistant professor Endocrinology University of Michigan Alexander Reyzelman – Assistant Professor Vascular Surgery UCSF Douglas Murdoch – Baylor Scott & White Residency Program Director Jimmy Trang – Residency Program Director VA Miami Joe Caporusso – Past President APMA Kim Felder – Chief Podiatric Medicine and Surgery VA Puget Sound Seattle Scott Tafuri DPM JD Kaiser East Bay Hayward Ca Heinvu Nguyen – Chief Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Kaiser South Sacrament Kathya Darmos – Geisinger Health system Danville PA Queena Woodard – Assistant Professor Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine Khurram Khan – Assistant Professor Temple College of Podiatric Medicine

I first met Doc. about 5 years and 8 months ago. When his niece ” Shellie” and I started dating . At first I felt kind of uneasy around Oran because he was such an intelligent man. But it didn’t take long and our friendship grew and it wasn’t long and he told me to that Mr. Burnett was his dad, and for me not to keep calling him Mr. Burnett and that his friends call him Doc. So I started calling him Doc then a shot time later he accepted me into the Family and then in no time at all and as our relationship grew, he became Uncle O to me. Uncle O included me in on all the family events, or when he wanted to go out to eat which sometimes was quite often he made sure I was included. Uncle O took me to a few places that I probably would have never been able to go to if it weren’t for Uncle O. He opened my eyes to so many places I never knew even existed, and through Uncle O I was able to meet several great and interesting people . When he was working in Laredo and coming home on Friday evenings he was usually pretty wore out from his work week. I would go over to his house a cook him a home cooked meal and have it ready for him when he got home. Some of His favorite meals included my meatloaf and my chicken fried Axis deer steaks. I enjoyed doing that for him because of all the things that he did for me. He was always so appreciative of the effort that was put into the meal. Another one of his favorite things to do was grill out on his back deck, with his fire, music a bloody mary or two ( he was notorious for making the BEST Bloody Mary’s ever) a couple of ice cold beers and his dogs. He loved his dogs too. He’d even grill his dogs chicken hearts so they’d have some treats too, and he would do that every single time. Over the years Uncle O not only became one of my closest and dearest friends he became part of my family, he became my “Uncle O” and for that I am truly and eternally grateful. He always talked about wanting for him and I to go on a deep sea Marlin fishing trip. Unfortunately we never got the opertunatly to go. I’d like to think he’s in a better place searching for a good fishing hole. So someday when we meet again we can go on that spacial fishing trip. So Uncle O until we meet again, keep realing them in, catch a big one, and rest in peace . You will be missed but never forgotten.

Oran and I are first cousins born a month apart from sisters Gladys and Joy Stewart. We grew up inseparable in our pre-teen years while our families lived in West Texas. After moving to Wyoming, my family continued to visit the Burnett clan in the Brownwood area every summer and again, we were inseparable. Oran was a very fine baseball player and a promising pitcher, which helped him in our dirt clod fights. I have some scars to prove it!! After his motorcycle accident, my having a motorcycle was never again discussed in my family. Oran overcame paralysis in such a remarkable way by having determination most of us never could imagine. I will never forget our experiences and fun times together we had all our lives. Rest In Peace cuz! We’ll never forget you. Cousin Dale Hinton

My name is Mary Joyce Stewart Mihm. Oran was my first cousin. His mom and my dad were sister and brother. My dad died when I was three years old. I spent many weekends at the Burnett house. Although Oran was about 9 years older than me I loved him and any time I spent with him. His brother Rex, was my all time favorite play mate. The best times were when all of cousins could be together. We always had such a good time. Oran was the champion dirt clod fighter. After his accident he was always doing projects and crafts to keep his hands busy. He got a leather tooling kit. He made wallets for the guys and zippered coin purses for the girls. I used mine to store my ball and jacks. Yes, I still have it. It means the world to me. I visited him in San Antonio and what did he do? He took me Honky-tonkin’ and we danced all night. He wore me out! He had to explain to my mother why we got home so late! I was fortunate enough to get to see him play basketball with the Spurs wheelchair team when they traveled to Warm Springs,Georgia. I’m not sure how many years he played, but he told me he went from being their youngest player to being their oldest. Oran was so inspiring, to everyone who knew him. I live in Augusta, GA and worked at the VA here. Podiatrists here know his name. Many of them met him at conferences. Others have his book. We had to watch a mandatory training video and he was the star of it.!!! No one believed me when I shouted out “That’s my cousin”! He made me so proud! His attendance to our family reunion this past June in Ft Davis was a blessing. I’ll always remember his face when he pulled up in the parking lot and shocked us all. Best surprise ever! Oran, you will be in my heart forever. I love you. Your little cousin, Mary Joyce. 💕

Oran and I were married in May of 1974. We immediately left to move to San Francisco because Oran had been accepted to Podiatric Medical School. We met friends that we are each still blessed to share to this day that we met and bonded with during our years in Northern California. Some of the things I treasure most in my life came from those times. I’m so glad we were able to remain friends and speak occasionally. His legacy is a testimony to the fire that burns within the human spirit it. God speed, my friend. We had our years and they were good. I know I will miss the essence of his spirit. He lived the life he planned for himself and enjoyed life in a uniquely special way. Connie <3

Mary joyce that’s so sweet. Oran was really well respected in his field. I wish I’d have known him way back then. But I was lucky enough to get to spend the last five and a half years as close friends. I’m grateful for the chance to know him.

Didn’t see Doc as often thru the years, but definitely in our hearts. Please update me on San Antonio memorial. Happy his wish to be a organ donor happened. Someone received special eyes that saw a lot and will continue to see more if wonderful things.

Thank you for the update. I lol forward to celebrating his life

His upbeat humor and drive to enjoy life will be sorely missed. RIP DOC!!