Vietnam
Engineers
9th Division
Gary Burns, 69 of Cleveland, Missouri passed away June 13, 2017 at his home in Cleveland. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Mullinax Funeral Home, Drexel Chapel (660-679-0009). Visitation will be prior to services on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm also at the Drexel Chapel. Burial will be 11:00 am Monday, June 19, 2017 at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Adrian VFW Post #1935. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com
Gary Lee Burns was born May 24, 1948 in Kansas City, Missouri to Lawrence and Mary An Eison Burns. He graduated from Appleton City High School and attended Bolivar College for two years. Gary then enlisted in the US Army and served two years in Vietnam. Later he would be united in marriage to Kathleen “Kathy” Bell on June 5, 1971. Gary worked for Lawrence Paper Company before going back to school at the College of Ozark. There he got his degree in Agriculture and earned his pilot’s license. After graduating he went to work for Mobay and later retired from Bayer in 2007 after 30 years.
Gary enjoyed his trips to Alaska, his farming, and cattle. He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and photographing his travels. Although he was a part-time farmer, he was also a mechanic at heart. Gary was a member of Adrian VFW Post #1935 and the 589th Engineer Battalion.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife Kathleen “Kathy” Burns of the home, sister Martha Smith and husband James of Hollister, MO., sister Carolyn Fischer and Gary Ruggles of Appleton City, MO., Nancy Basham and husband Rich of St. Louis, MO., along with numerous nieces and nephews and two great-nephews.