On Thursday, September 12, 2019, Donald Lee Burns Sr., loving husband, dad and granddad

entered into eternal rest at the age of 70.

Donald was born in Denton, Texas on July 13, 1949 to Leroy and Damaris Burns. He attended

La Puenta High School, and then enlisted in the US Army on November 24, 1968 serving during

the Vietnam War. On January 3, 1970 he married the love of his life, Brenda Fleischer at Holy

Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, California. They lived in Hawaii in the first year

of marriage then moved to Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas until 1971. After being honorably

discharged from the US Army they began their journey in California, as he worked as a

mechanic for a fleet service. Soon adding to their family, a son and a daughter. In 1989 their

lives led them to Henderson County, Texas where he worked for a cabinet shop, drove an

eighteen wheeler and then worked at Solar Turbines as a refurbish technician before retiring at

the age of 62.

Don adored his family and friends dearly and would do anything to lend a helping hand or make

them smile, even if it was playing games we had to trick him into playing. He loved God with all

of his heart and was a great influence and mentor to many. Don enjoyed travelling, riding

motorcycles, surfing in his younger years, woodwork and anything mechanical. He had a passion

for flying, and he obtained his private pilot license in Athens on June 30, 1990.

Don is survived by his wife, Brenda Burns; his son, Donald Burns Jr. and fiance Joni Smith of

Eustace; his daughter, Sheri Labelle and husband Bryan Labelle of McKinney, Texas; his

grandchildren, Dustin Meadows and wife, AJ Meadows, Skye Burns, Kathleen Grundt, Angela

Labelle and Joey Labelle. He is also survived by his sister, Tommy Smith of Payne Springs and

Becky Moore of Hemet, California; and also by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please, we would prefer plants or donations to the building fund of St. Peter

Lutheran Church of Gun Barrel City, Texas; 130 Luther Lane, Gun Barrel City, Texas 75156 (903)887-0436 or their website at splgbc@gmail.com.