Burt Carnes, Susan Carnes Obituary – Carnes, prior to his career as a judge, hailed from a family deeply rooted in law enforcement. This included his father, who served as an FBI agent, as well as other relatives who held positions such as a Texas Ranger, a Border Patrol agent, and a Wilson County sheriff.
Upon retiring after 24 years as a judge in October 2013, Carnes took the opportunity to reflect on his career in an interview with the Austin American-Statesman. During the interview, he emphasized his commitment to being a judge rather than a politician. He believed in adhering to the law and making decisions that he deemed right within the confines of the law.
At that time, Texas representative John Carter commended Carnes for his numerous contributions over the decades. Carter expressed his admiration for Carnes, describing him as an exceptional judge who was diligent, impartial, and possessed a deep understanding of the law. Whenever Carter sought to discuss an issue, he consistently turned to Judge Carnes as his first choice due to his intelligence and expertise in both law and judging.