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Ray Burns La Follette, TN QCWA # 11156 Chapter 60 |
Mr. Ray Burns, age 91, of LaFollette passed away peacefully Monday, September 12, 2016.
Mr. Burns was a well-known figure in the Campbell County area serving many years on the Campbell County School Board and served as Chairman of the Board during that time as well.Mr. Burns' political career also spanned several years on the Campbell County Commission where he was named as the interim County Executive at one point while on the Commission.Ray Burns was a veteran of World War II where his tour of duty took him all over the Pacific serving as an Army Radio Operator .Upon returning from WWII with several medals including "The Purple Heart", Mr. Burns went to work for the Atomic Energy Commission at the X-10 Plant (now known as ORNL), where he worked until he retired after thirty-five years.Mr. Burns' occupation during his military service gave way to his love of Ham radios as a hobby throughout his life. Through his call letters W4TZG, Ray was able to talk to other radio operators near and far and took every opportunity to meet those individuals when they were passing through East Tennessee.
During his retirement, Mr. Burns remained active in the Campbell County community serving multiple organizations including The Salvation Army and continuing his work as a Ham radio operator for emergency communications and growing the local network of ham radio operators in East Tennessee.
Mr. Ray Burns was preceded in death by his parents John and Victoria Burns of Harlan, KY; brothers Mr. Jack Burns of Connecticut and John Jr. of Kentucky; his wife Marie Lobertini Burns; daughter Teresa Lynn Burns, and grandson Matthew Brent Burns.Survivors Brothers Glen Webb, Mayking, KY and Bob Burns of Harlan, KY; Children Glen, Susan, Donn (Cindy ), Brian (Vikki), Christopher (Pam); grandchildren Seth, Leah, Hunter, Christopher, Zach, Hillary, Talor, Emily, and Mallory; great grandchildren "Hannah, Matt, Abigale, Rylee, Brealin, Rowyn, Camden, and Lincoln; and great great grand-child Brooklyn.Services will be Friday, September 16, 2016 beginning at 7:00 p.m. with visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cross-Smith Funeral Home in LaFollette.
A brief graveside service will be conducted Saturday morning, September 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in LaFollette.The family asks that donations be made to American Cancer Society or the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home