J L Burns' Obituary
JL Burns, age 80, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020. JL was born on June 10, 1939 in Tryon, NC. He grew up caddying at the Tryon Country Club with his brother, Chris Burns, and was an avid golf for most of his life. JL joined the United States Air Force at 17 years old and spent seven and a half years serving his country in Korea, Japan, Greenland, and Thailand as a cryptographer with top secret clearance. In the early 70’s JL acquired his pilot licenses (private, commercial, multi-engine, and instrument rating and helicopter license). He went on to purchase and rebuild a scrap military helicopter in the late 70’s which he flew for many months in Maggie Valley, NC and Miami, Florida. JL worked for BellSouth Telecommunications for almost 20 years before retiring with his wife Penny. After retiring, they purchased an Eagle bus and had it remodeled so that they could travel across the United States including Alaska. In 2005, JL was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and in 2012 JL was excited to be chosen as one of fifty participants in a nation-wide study to find a cure for this evil disease.
JL was preceded in death by his parents, William Asbon & Lillian Lou Pace Burns, brothers, Bud Burns and Charles Burns, and sister, Arlee Graham.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Penny Burns, children Debbie (Eugene) Bell, Cindy Burns Pope, Betty Giles, Michelle (Stephen) Dowdy, and Jason Burns, brother, Chris (Patricia) Burns, sisters, Hazel Morgan and Helen (Junior) Hill as well as 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be held at Bluff Park United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 1:00 PM, with the memorial service beginning at 2:00 PM with Reverend Reid Crotty officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to alz.org
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