Captain John A. Burt (United States Navy, retired), 74, of Ladysmith passed away Friday, May 17, 2019 in Mary Washington Hospital.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, John grew up and graduated from high school in Corvallis, Oregon; from the US Naval Academy in 1965 with a BS in Mathematics; from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1971 with an MS in Aeronautical Engineering; and from the Defense Systems Management College Program Management Course in 1977.

After designation as a naval aviator in 1967, John’s 24-year career as a naval officer included three tours to Southeast Asia where he was decorated for combat action in the A-7 attack aircraft.  From 1974 to 1977 he was an instructor and the Associate Chairman of the Aerospace Engineering Department at the US Naval Academy.  He was the Commander of the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, from 1986 to 1989.  Other key assignments during his career included Program Manager for Support Aircraft and Weapons Systems Management at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR); three years as the US co-chairman of the US/UK Pegasus Engine Joint Control Board in the British Ministry of Defense, London, England; maintenance officer and operations officer of an A-7 squadron; head of the Large Turbine Engine Branch at NAVAIR; and Executive Assistant to the Commander, NAVAIR. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.

After he retired from the Navy, John served from 1989 to 1994 in the Federal Aviation Administration as a Special Advisor to the Administrator, Acquisition Executive and Executive Director for System Development. From 1994 to 1996, he was the Director, Test, Systems Engineering and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense. From 1996 to 1997, he served the United States Marine Corps as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics. After again retiring from Civil Service, John was appointed to the position of Business Operations Director of the MITRE Corporation Washington Command and Control Center, WC3, in June 2003 and worked there until 2006.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Burt; three children, John Edward Burt, Heather Burt Kinkead (Kevin) and Kathryn Burt Polk (John); two sisters, Christine Cook (Larry) and Darcy Schoenberg (Mark); his brother,  Larry Burt (Diane); eight grandchildren, Courtney Burt, J.J. Burt, Blake Kinkead, Rebecca Kinkead, Clara Kinkead, Hannah Polk, Will Polk and Ellie Polk. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 3:00 pm at Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 8063 Ladysmith Road, Ruther Glen VA 22546. A reception will follow the service at the church. Inurnment of his cremains will take place on Tuesday, June 18^th at 1:00 pm in the columbarium at the United States Naval Academy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wrights Chapel UMC Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.storkefuneralhome.com