Donald Robert Burns, Sr.

Donald Robert Burns, Sr. passed peacefully from this life surrounded by his family on June 3, 2009 at Heritage Place, after a long illness at home. Donald was born on March 12, 1931, in Springfield, Ill., along with his twin brother Dale.

Don lived and attended schools in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. His mother took him and his brother to many Cardinals baseball games in St. Louis, also he was a fervent lifetime fan. He loved watching Green Bay Packers football games, too.

Don joined the U.S. Navy as a gunners mate in May 1948, at Kansas City, Missouri; he served in ordinance, and missile systems. He earned four Good Conduct Awards (one was for European Occupations' and two National Defense Service Medals during his 23 year Navy career. He retired from the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer in June, 1971 and moved to Kalispell with his family.

Donald and Myrtle Edith Cameron were married in Tennessee in 1951; Myrtle died in 1990, after 39 years of marriage, in Kalispell. Three children were born of this union: Donald, Jr., Wayne and Donna Lee. Don worked in trails/signs/building maintenance for the USDA-Forest Service at Columbia Falls Ranger Station and Big Creek Work Center (Glacier View Ranger District) from 1972 to 1983. He sold telephone systems in the Flathead and worked at Semitool from 1989 until he fully retired in 2001.

Don loved eastern Montana for the deer hunting. His favorite area in western Montana was the Thompson River country for camping and fishing. Don's log home, fruit trees, vegetable and berry garden, lawn and woodworking shop filled a lot of his off-work time.

Don married Norma LaVonne Brown (nee Coverdell/McLauchlin) Aug. 31, 1991, at the Little Brown Church in Bigfork. They enjoyed the extensive traveling that they did together.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Myrtle; his parents Edward Burns and Estelle Downs; his step-father William Downs; and nephew David Burns.

Don is survived by his wife Norma; his twin brother Dale and Doris Burns of Sunnyvale, Calif.; sons Don Jr. and Cindy Burns of Boulder, Colo.; Wayne and Roberta Burns of Lakeside; daughter Donna Lee and Tom Fuller of Kalispell; mother-in-law Helen Coverdell of Kalispell. Step-children Derrick McLauchlin and Cathy of Spokane; Eldon McLauchlin and Shelley of Spokane; Sue Ellen and Doug Thorp of Kalispell; seven grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; 13 step-great grandchildren; and numerous relatives in Illinois.

Military Honor Guard and graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday June 13 at Conrad Cemetery in Kalispell. A celebration of life and potluck will follow at 2 p.m. at Central Bible Church, 902 First Ave. E., Kalispell. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Veterans Food Pantry, 1527 Highway 35 East, Kalispell.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for Don's family.