Ralph Burnett

(From Baldwin Brothers Funeral and Cremation Society)

Ralph Douglas (Doug) Burnett, 73, of Fort Myers, FL passed away Sunday, September 17, 2023. He was born November 26, 1949, in Alexander City, Alabama to Ralph and Cora Burnett .

Doug was an amateur or professional musician most of his life. He started singing before audiences as a child at the age of four. He joined the Granby School band as a trumpet player. He learned to play piano at 9 and guitar at 14. He was part of a band while he was in high school called “The Flanges.”

After graduating from Granby High School in 1967 he joined the Hobson Brothers Band. He majored in music at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo.Doug co-founded a band with Jerry Myers called Sage. By 1969 the band was performing all over the United States and in Canada.

He married Cheryl Martin in 1972 and she became a singer/performer in the band. Around this time the band’s name was changed to Kansas City Sage.

The band settled in the Fort Myers, Florida area. He later performed a single person act and a duo with his wife called Sage II.

Doug had been in ill health many years. He was a Christian and knew the Lord.

Doug is survived by his wife Cheryl, and their daughter Brittany Terlep and her husband John, of Fort Myers, and their son Beau Burnett and his wife Megan of Tampa, Florida. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Austin and Kaleb Konieczki; Ashley Terlep, Ryder and Raelyn Burnett; and two great grandchildren, Aiden and Ava Konieczki.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Cora Burnett; his brother, Larry Burnett and sister, Judy Dietrich.

A memorial service in memory of Doug Burnett will be held 4:00pm-5:00pm on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society; 4320 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Fl, 33966.

The family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 3:00pm-4:00pm.

Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, Fort Myers is entrusted with final care.