Eugene A. 'Gene' Burns, Salina
Obituary for Eugene A. "Gene" Burns | Ryan Mortuary
July 30, 1939 ~ May 6, 2021 (age 81)
Eugene A. "Gene" Burns, 81, of Salina, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2021. He was born July 30, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to J. Robert "Bob" and Evelyn (Buckley) Burns. As an infant, the family moved to Morris County, KS. He graduated in the last class of Diamond Valley High School, Burdick, KS.
Gene served two years in the U.S. Army and four years in the Reserves. He married Janice Hartman on October 9, 1966. His career spanned 35 years for the USDA Soil Conservation Service.
Gene coached youth sports in Salina during the 1970s and '80s, including serving Babe Ruth Baseball. Additionally, he served as president of the Kansas Parents Association of Hearing-Impaired Children.
He is survived by his wife Janice (Jan), of the home; sons John (Linda Oldham) Burns, of Topeka and Curtis Burns, of Salina; grandsons Hunter Burns and Tyler J. Burns; and sisters Mary Lou Thompson (Jon), Azle, TX, Coleen Anderes (Lyle), of Salina, Linda Cox, of Hesston, Dorothy Goodwin (Steve), of Salina. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Georgia Connor.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Ryan Mortuary, with family present from 5-7 p.m. Graveside service at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at New Basel Cemetery, rural Abilene, KS.
Memorials may be made to Dignity Cares Fund in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401. Memorial funds will provide aid to current and future residents of Dignity Care Home.
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