Gary Burns, 82

Gary Lee Burns, 82, Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away after a short illness on Oct. 19, 2022, in Chandler, Ariz.
Gary Burns was born on Dec. 22, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska to Charles and Helen (Wallick) Burns. He moved with his family to Red Oak in 1945 and graduated from high school with the class of 1957. On Dec. 28, 1958 he was united in marriage to Kathryn Marie Freed at Fremont Lutheran Church, Nyman.
Gary graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He and Kathy moved to Pocahontas after graduation, where he was a coach and teacher for four years. In 1965, he left the teaching profession and formed a partnership with Jim Fitzgerald that became Burns Fitzgerald Realtors. He was on the Pocahontas Community Hospital board that built the present hospital in 1967 and was instrumental in forming a group of investors to build the present-day Pocahontas Manor Care Center in 1970. Later he became the sole owner of that facility until he sold it in 2012.
In 1985, they moved to Mesa, Ariz. He was a past member of Mesa Country Club, Iron Oaks of Sun Lakes, and current member of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, Ariz. He and Kathy moved to Sun Lakes, Ariz., in 2010 where he enjoyed golf until his health declined. For the last 9 months they had lived at Robson Reserve, where he established many new friendships and his love of playing bridge.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Kathy; and four children, Debra (Ted) Shimon of Peoria, Ariz.; Jeffrey (Lisa) Burns of Chandler, Ariz.; Denise (Mike) Ziegler of Sedalia, Colo.; and Barry (Kate) Burns of Chandler, Ariz. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Christine (Weston) Bingham; Nick (Tate) Shimon and Tim Shimon; Kelsey, Jack and Marley Burns; Sullivan Ziegler; Eli (Aubri) Ziegler and Macy Ziegler; Elliot and Zane Burns; and great-grandchildren Myla, Brant, Emery and Mabel Bingham; Lane Jones; and Ollie Joy Shimon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Roger Burns; and his sister-in-law, Charlene.
His love of people, college football, Iowa State University, Kansas City Chiefs and family will never be forgotten. His greatest legacy was having never known a stranger.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Heart Association or your favorite charity.
Memorial services were held Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, at Valley of the Sun Mortuary in Chandler, Ariz.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Burns family.

 

The Red Oak Express

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