Tommy Burnett
Sam Thomas Burnett (August 1, 1942 – September 17, 2009) was an American politician who was
Early life
Burnett was born and raised in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.[1] He attended Cumberland College and received a law degree from the University of Tennessee.
Professional life
A farmer, businessperson and attorney, Burnett served as a Cumberland County Church of Christ preacher in Jamestown, Tennessee.[2][3] After graduating from law school, Burnett established a law practice and began his political career.
Political career
In 1970, 28-year-old Burnett, a Democrat, was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. His district included Fentress, Overton and Morgan counties on the Cumberland Plateau. Burnett became a trusted lieutenant of House Speaker Ned McWherter. Burnett served first as house floor leader then house majority leader during the administrations of Governors Ray Blanton, Lamar Alexander and McWherter.[3][4]
Burnett's strong oratorical skills and effectiveness at working across
1983 conviction
In 1983, Burnett served 10 months in prison at Maxwell Air Force Base after his conviction in federal court for the misdemeanor of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns. While in prison, he was re-elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives, defeating two opponents in the primary and winning the November 1984 general election with 60 percent of the vote.[5]
1991 conviction
Burnett was convicted again in August 1990 on nine
Burnett received a five-year prison sentence for his Operation Rocky Top conviction, and served 16 months before being released to a
As a convicted
Later years
Burnett's career also included stints as a cattle rancher, oil prospector, chicken farmer, and seller of
Death
Burnett died September 17, 2009, in a hospital in Nashville. His funeral was September 20, 2009, in the Fentress County community of Banner Springs. His remains were transported in a mule-drawn carriage to Springs Chapel Cemetery for burial.[7][8]
References
- ^ Pigott, Mike (September 23, 2009). "Veteran Tennessee political observer Mike Pigott remembers the colorful Tommy Burnett". Archived from the original on December 8, 2009. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ^ Pigott, Mike (September 23, 2009). "Veteran Tennessee political observer Mike Pigott remembers the colorful Tommy Burnett". WayBack Machine. Archived from the original on December 8, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ a b c Humphrey, Tom (September 18, 2009). "Mr. Sam Thomas Burnett, crafty, colorful, convicted former state lawmaker, dies". www.knoxnews.com. USA Today. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ^ a b c d Ken Whitehouse, State bids farewell to legendary legislator Tommy Burnett, NashvillePost.com, September 17, 2009
- ^ Whitehouse, Ken (September 17, 2009). "State bids farewell to legendary legislator Tommy Burnett". Nashville Post. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
- ^ Humphrey, Tom (September 18, 2009), Mr. Sam Thomas Burnett, crafty, colorful, convicted former state lawmaker, dies, USA Today, retrieved October 14, 2020
- ^ Friends, Family Remember Tommy Burnett Archived 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, News Channel 5, September 20, 2009
- ^ Tommy Burnett Dies At Age 67, Fentress Courier, September 23, 2009