Ronald Bruce Burns

Ronald Bruce Burns was born May 5, 1957 in Rice Lake, WI to the late Rev. Robert and Wilma (Farmer) Burns. He passed after a very sudden and aggressive battle with Acute Leukemia in the MICU at Duke University Hospital. While unexpected, his family was able to surround him while he peacefully passed from this life. Ron is survived by his wife, Shelley (Fowler) Burns of 41 years, which according to Ron only felt like 41 seconds. His favorite daughter, Erika (Benjamin) Smith and his favorite sonny-boy, Matt (Tara) Burns. Grandchildren, his favorite Madison (Thomas) Batts, his favorite Kennedy (Terrell) Smith, his favorite Grace Burns, his favorite Cary Burns and his favorite Elijah Burns. His siblings, Janice Lazcano, David Burns (Sherry) and Paul (Darlene) Burns, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A man who only had 65 years on this Earth, he managed to live a very full life. The youngest of four to the parents of a Church Planter/Newspaper Reporter, Ron lived in a number of places in his youth. Upon his high school graduation he joined the Navy. At the end of his service, he went on to work at Raytheon Technologies and United Video before landing at Microspace Communications. Ron truly enjoyed his work and it brought him a multitude of friends and shared interests, hello ping pong table at work! While a quiet man, he loved adventurous hobbies. Ron was a motorcycle rider until an accident at 60 (!!) when his family made him stop (we wanted him around). A former wrestler himself, he reeled his family in and rarely missed a NC State wrestling tournament. He was an avid marksman and outdoorsman, including his grandchildren in these hobbies, bringing joy to him and them. He was a Private Pilot, thanks to the contagious love of aviation of his best friend. Ron even became involved in a local Homeschool Co-op because he wanted the next generation to fall in love with flying as he had. He was incredibly charitable, often anonymously, always willing to help anyone in need, no matter the effort required on his part. He truly lived James 1:27. He is missed deeply and the world is a little less bright without him. We hope he’s enjoying all the Twizzlers, PopTarts and winning all the chess, now. Donations in his name can be made to St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Stop Soldier Suicide, both causes that were dear to him.