John Raymond Burt Sr., 85, of Frankfort, SD, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Faulkton Senior Living in Faulkton, SD.

Family and friends are welcome to gather for a memorial service and casual fellowship, hosted by John's family, at the Mellette Community Building, 9 West Main St., Mellette, SD, on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Beverages will be served and those wishing to bring meatless finger food to share may do so which is greatly appreciated.

There will be a military service and burial at the Mellette Cemetery at 11:30 am on Sunday, May 4, 2025.  A potluck lunch will be at the Mellette Community Building in Mellette.

Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield, SD has assisted John's family. (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

John was born on September 25, 1939, in Mellette, to Lloyd and Doris (Gange) Burt.

In 1957, John graduated from Mellette High School where he played on the basketball team.

He was an active member of the Redfield Range Riders.

John served in the US Air Force from October 15, 1957 to June 2, 1962. He was a lifetime member of the North American Hunting Club, Owner-Operator of the Independent Drivers Association, and a member of the United Church of God.

John had the heart of a patriot and a cowboy. He had a sharp mind, a sense of humor, and many interests and skills. He liked being productive and detested being idle. He had been a farmhand, ranchhand, newspaper delivery boy, school bus driver, maintenance mechanic, automotive mechanic, airplane mechanic, welder, machinist, life insurance salesman, pit crew chief (stock car racing), machine shop owner, co-owner of a dragster and racer, farmer, crop sprayer, truck driver, and owner-operator truck driver. He enjoyed most of the jobs.

John loved being outdoors, working with horses and dogs, ranching, farming, fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, and living off the land.  Working with his hands brought him joy, from restoring vehicles, repairing engines and equipment, fabricating tools, and other functional things he designed.

He also enjoyed playing snooker, billiards, reading Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey books, watching westerns, playing cards, traveling, visiting family and friends, racing flying Cessnas, studying the Bible, old country music, swing and big band music, and learning.

He was particularly interested in learning about engines and motors, new machinery and programs for designing and fabricating, history, genealogy, government systems, how the body functions, natural healing medicine for humans and farm animals, growing naturally and organically according to soil needs and composition, body needs and conditions, and advances in technologies and medical science.

John desired to have his machine shop again to "putsy" in and have a small ranch with a garden. He also wished to travel across the midwest to the west and southwest on horseback.

John was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Doris Burt, sister Bonnie Burt, son Mark Burt, daughter-in-law Lola Burt, 5 grandchildren, both mothers of his children: Kathryn (his first wife) mother of his first 5 children, Madeline (his second wife) mother of his youngest child, and many other relatives.

John is survived by brother and sister-in-law Donald and Donna Burt; children: Tammy Burgard, John (Connie) Burt Jr., Thom (Carol Tilish) Burt, Thad (Leann) Burt, Blake (Kyla) Burt; 18 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.