This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, David Burns, born on September 24, 1941 and passed away on November 20, 2017. We will remember him forever.
David's Memorial & Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, December 9th, at Redmond Christian Church. It was well attended, by 226 people.
This site includes music, many photos, videos, a Bio by Susie Burns, a Eulogy by Lisa and Aaron Palmer, David's Favorites, Tributes and more. Please feel free to leave a Tribute.
The video, which was played at the memorial service, can be viewed at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Lrsx6WS7D68
Jami's sing-along song dedication is the final song of video - "See You Again."
Tributes
Leave a tributeSuch a gawd-awful year 2020 has been! I'm grateful you haven't had to live through it here. As much as I miss you, which is still at times, unbearably too much... You're in such a better place than this! Our beloved country is being stolen from us patriots by communists, anarchists, and brainwashed idiots! (Known commonly as the democrats). The country you served and ultimately gave your life for is being squandered by a pack of evildoers the likes of which I never could've dreamed possible. And yet here we are, on the teetering brink of losing America to a pack of corrupt, brainless dweebs...
But our God reigns! And He's about to put His Foot down, isn't He?! I look forward to the Rapture or my coming Home singly soon, whichever comes first! Till then, just know somehow, that I miss you more than words can convey. I love you still, every day. I will see you again soon! Stay strong! For me! Send me another white feather soon...
Today marks Year Two of your departure for Heaven. I am so comforted and blessed to know where you are and the joy and peace and bounty your soul now enjoys. I am nonetheless tearful, somber and in a world of my own in mind and heart today, as I was yesterday...
Yes, I am reminded daily of the lifetime-long union we once shared and how rare and beautiful it had become! And I'm reminded of how, sadly, I marked our 50th Anniversary this year without you...quietly and unto myself.
I am reasonably well, all things considered. Still being "treated" for the post-concussion issues I sustained that Christmas Eve morning, in 2016, on the deck steps with you in your fractured ankle crisis. Perhaps, some of the newer surgical procedures "they" have developed since then to relieve the Trigeminal Neuralgia in my face and head will help me to resume my daily living free from head pain. There's a clinic for such people as I now named for the T.N. I deal with daily in Portland, at OHSU, where I will check in on 12/12/19
Our Summer Hill home is still in the family. And the Lord brought to me a very loving and sweet and wonderful little mommy, daddy and baby girl to live there this last summer! They fell in love with it just as we had! Best friends of our new pastor & wife and their brand new baby girl! Maybe in a couple of years or so plan to buy it. But God made it very clear to me that they were His answer to my prayers for the happiest of solutions for Summer Hill, our girls, and Him. So far, it's been a great heaven-sent answer.
So for now, my Beloved, know that I miss you continuously, and am comforted knowing you've been freed from the prison the ALS made of your physical body. I will always, always, always love you. Till we meet again, have fun with all your reunited family and friends... Think of me now and then, if you will... sbc
PS. Thank you so much for all my white feathers! Just where and when I needed a reminder of your presence near me!
I will forever love you and miss you. And yet at times, I know you're right here with me, in spirit and in Love. I know you are in a joyous, comfortable, abundant Paradise with Father God, Christ Jesus and our Holy Spirit. I hope you are happy knowing that you were right when you told me I was too young to never remarry. You and the Holy Spirit did a slam dunk with our dear brother in Christ and friend, Marty. He is good to me. As you were. I think of you every day, many, many times a day. God, give your good and faithful servant the very best days of his heavenly life... Peace and Grace to you and your long departed, newly reacquainted loved ones. You were My Everything... --sbc
We are thinking of you today and celebrating your life, with some volcano meatloaf and birthday cake.
You're the best. We love you always and forever.
Love,
Lisa, Aaron, Sophie & Henry
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
God bless you Susie. --Linda Peck
God Bless You All. --Bill Browning
God Bless you. Love you. --Chris White
God bless you. --Bill & Darlene Winnett
God be with you. --Bud, Donna & Mark Burns
Love in Christ Jesus. --Michael & Betty Brannon
Dear David & Susie, I have been soooo blessed to have had both of you in my life! I will never, ever forget your generosity and friendship during the Summer of 2016 when I stayed at Summer Hill. The memories, laughs and loves will always remain in my heart as my enduring love for the both of you. Always & Forever, Winga & Prada
Love to all. --Jim & Karin Watts
God's love and blessings always. --Linda Pheasant
Love you so much. --Wayne & Beth
I'm proud to be David's and your granddaughter. --Sophie
David, You were the Best Friend and an Angel. I love you and miss you so. I wish I had been a better friend to you and not have wasted a minute. Absent from the body, present with the Lord. --Love, Kat (Katrina Ross-Schulzke)
--Tony & Janet Montoya
--Fran Payne
--Abby & Kassy
Much love & tears. --Russell & Melody Luloff
Love you, Susie. --Ray & Diane Dodd
--Linda O'Neal
Love you. --Ken & Nancy Mills
I love you, Papa, to the heavens and beyond. --Tina Grant
--Larry & Jeannine Kuhn
--Ruth Burman
--Jim & Pat Wilson
--Steve & Barbara Wedell, representing the Astoria Gang: Ron & Muriel Jensen, Barbara Stapleton, Steve & Deb Schendel
--Rose Raines, Brentwood Manor
--Betty Martinez, Brentwood Manor
Dave, we are gong to miss you--we had fun working together. God Bless. --Robert & Margaret Glembocki
--Robert & Buffy Mohr
I love you all! --Sandy Connell
We were blessed to know David and your entire family. --Nancy Shaw
--Laurie J. Uding
Blessings. We will never look at a stool the same again! --Wayne & Tanya
What a blessed, blessed man --Allen & Sue Currier
So thankful I got to meet David. He made a big and wonderful impression. Always with God's Love, --Kathleen Tobin
Susie, We all hope this day never comes to loved ones but we know they go in Grace to a place of only love. --Betty Hale
Susie, We love you and David. --Bill Sager & Carolyn Hansen
Precious Susie, We love you & will certainly miss dear David. -- Dick & Carolyn Danielson
We love you both so very much! Thank you for being a huge inspiration and blessing in our lives. You will be missed David! All our love, Jade & Nikki
Susie, We will miss your David. We love you! --John & Jenny Asmunson
Our Prayers are with you. --Del & Becky Hopper
We love you both. --Tom & Lolita
Love you so much Susie. We are always just a walk away. --Linds, Chris, CJ, Darwin
So much love to leave as your legacy David; we are all blessed. Susie & family--God's blessings and comfort keep you. --Love, Tessa
May the Peace and Strength of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you each and every day, Susie, with the incredible memories you and David shared. --Love, Mark Hemmerick
Susie, David & BJ Butler. We love you. Will miss David so much.
We are blessed to have known David. He is missed, but we expect to see him again. --Love, JR & Linda
We love you! --Dick & Clair
I love you Grandma Susie. You have been an inspiration to me! David has been an inspiration to me too. He will always be in our hearts / minds 4ever! Love and hugs to you / your family. Call me anytime. 541-706-0995. --Tiffany
Love you a bushel & a peck! --Wade & Kathi Parker
--Wanda Hardgrave
--Marijane Boyd
David will definitely be missed. We love you, Susie! --Bob & Althea Meyer
David--Knowing you was the best birthday gift I received. --Henry, Your :-) grandson
--Matt & Kristy Radford
--Jami Burns & Scott Barker
Well, God just took the only one I know. So I'll hold you as close as I can. Longing for the day, when I see your face again." ~ Donna Taggart in "Jealous of the Angels," a song to be played at the memorial service.
"Please know that you and your sweet family are in the hearts and prayers of everyone here at the Council on Aging. It was an honor to meet David and connect with you both. Please take care of yourself and contact me for anything. --Cassie & The Council Staff
"David was such a great guy. We loved his sense of humor and the joy he displayed--even in the hard times. We will miss him so very much. We are asking the Lord to carry you dear Susie, through this difficult time. Sending our love & many prayers. Dick & Carolyn"
"David's suffering is now over--he is rejoicing with our Lord in his new healthy form. I know prayers are asking the Lord for your peace and comfort at this extremely difficult time. Thank goodness the Lord is with you, and your family surrounds you. David was a wonderful caring husband--who REALLY loved you. I am so glad I had a chance for a visit near the end. God bless you and the family! May He grant you peace! Love, Aleta"
"I was so saddened to hear about David. He was such a sweet man and will be missed by many. My prayers are with you..."
And met the both of them there. After a while i got to know them better i adopted them as my grandparents cause at the time mine lived in Bend.
They were very awesome people, i hugged them every time i saw them.
But wen i found out he had A.L.S i was very sad. I will miss my grandpa David forever. My luv and hugs to the family. I will c you all at the funeral on Saturday Dec.9th. Luv you and miss u bunches.
Leave a Tribute
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Untitled
[I found the following excerpt from possibly a larger written work on David's laptop after his passing...don't think he'd mind now my sharing with you... --Susie]
Sept. 2014
Just this week the weather has cooled a bit, and fall is in the air. I really can't express how much we love living where we are! What a great feeling for us to realize again and again that we just feel blessed and are so thankful to have, almost by accident, landed here! Surely directed by a higher authority. The comfortable little house, the pleasant two acres, and the grandiose view. The brown and green buttes across the way with dun-colored rock outcroppings like bones pushing out of the earth, and the shadows and sunlight playing across them as the day progresses. And the green and golden fields below divided by the north-south running highway, along with the train tracks and a fine variety of trees beyond, the Ochoco Mountains to the East, dark green to blues and purples, and to the West, the magnificent snow-capped Cascade Mountains! And at night we see sparse white lights from the little village of Terrebonne not too far below us and if it's a dark moonless night, standing on our deck about 6 feet above the ground, with the stars sparkling all around, lights below and a hush all about, our feet not quite on the ground and not quite in the sky, it's like we've stepped right into eternity.
Didn't mean to try to be poetic there, just wanted to try to describe our setting here a bit. Today the sky is blue and there are several white "beauty clouds" around, as our local weatherman likes to call them.
BIO
BIO
DAVID H. BURNS
Born September 24, 1941 ~~ Passed November 20, 2017
Some explanation about the dash between those two dates… David “Burnsy” “Huck” “Huckleberry” Burns went to his Heavenly Home on Monday, November 20, 2017 at Hospice House, Bend, Oregon where he had been transferred just three days prior, from his home in north Redmond, Oregon. He suffered honorably and admirably the debilitation and utter devastation the ALS had wrought the last 15 months of his life with us. David fought the good fight, gasping his last breath, with his wife of 48 years by his side. And that last breath was just 2-3 minutes before Pastor Greg returned to be with David and Susie, after having spent a time of quiet reflection, Scripture and prayer in one-on-one time with David.
Born in South Bend, WA to Freda and James E. Burns in 1941, he was 76 years old when he left us. As a child, David experienced far too much of his violently alcoholic parents who were both in their 20s, and along with his two older siblings, would live in countless locales during his childhood—Bemidji, Brainerd, Fargo, as well as Oregon’s Cow Creek, Canyonville, Devil’s Flat, Myrtle Creek, Timber and Lee’s Camp. There would be a Fargo orphanage in his early childhood--operated by some “unfriendly” nuns; and there was the cab or the back-end of an old flatbed truck. There was a vacant, breezy mining shack one Minnesota winter, a room in a flop-house hotel where all five of them would sleep in a double bed—unless the parents were gone drinking. David and his siblings were on a first-name basis with Mr. Starvation. There were stays with various relatives and neighbors of relatives. (David was often separated from his family members--never knowing when or how or even if he might be reunited with them).
These and other temporary shelter situations were all “homes” to David growing up. Sometimes, he would go to sleep a new student in one school and his folks would suddenly move in the middle of the night; and he’d awaken a new student in another school—and the “new kid" stuff would start all over again!
As a teenage boy living alone in an abandoned bunkhouse in a closed-down logging camp in the Coast Range of Oregon, David would scavenge for food and other “amenities” in a nearby dump, and do his best to live off the land. But David would then be rescued by the Hand of God and a gracious miracle was delivered to him. The Les & Delores Blount Family of Lee’s Camp surely saved our beloved David from starvation and homelessness. He would experience his first stable home life, in a family of two parents, the father working steadily as a sawyer in a nearby mill, the mother a homemaker and full-time mom to her own four other kids, and her new “foster” son, David.
Attending roughly 20-some schools before graduating from Forest Grove Union High School in Oregon, David would later look back on his life and count over forty places he had lived in his lifetime. He’d tally some sixty-plus jobs, including, as he would say, “four years, three months and 2 days” in the US Navy as a Sonar Tech, 3rd Class Petty Officer. His naval job was mostly aboard a couple destroyers during the Vietnam Era—and early on, one was assigned to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missle Crisis, but he also had tours of duty in the Mediterranean, other areas of the Caribbean, the Black Sea and other waters.
After his honorable discharge in ‘66, David returned to civilian life in Oregon. Settling in Hillsboro, on his own again. There he would meet the love of his life in a newly forming community theatre group. See, the next door neighbors to Les & Delores strongly suggested, or as David liked to joke, he was “dragged,” to the next meeting of a local community theatre group, which just happened to have been started by Susie and her former high school drama coach. I guess David figured it was something different to do besides closing down the usual tavern stops. And it was quite literally love at first sight for them—in that high school drama classroom, back in the summer of ’68. After a brief courtship—first date August 10th, engaged September 15, married April 19th, 1969—David married Susan Moser at The Chapel of the Hills on Mt. Hood—a non-denominational by the way! She was 19, he was 27. And the Hand of God had profoundly moved in David's life again.
David & Susie, or Dave & Sue as they were known back then, made their home in Washington County, Oregon and started their own family—9 months and 1 day after their wedding day to be exact! That raised a few family eyebrows back in the day! Three years later after their Lisa was born, they were blessed with another adorable baby girl, Jami.
In 1980, the happy, loving family of four moved out of the teen-age gang-ridden Forest Grove, selling their beloved “Ashburn Manor,” a lovely 2-story Federal Classic home built in 1910 in the Knob Hill District, one of the more historic neighborhoods of Forest Grove. David moved his family to the slower-paced North Oregon Coast to the smaller town of Seaside. The change of schools was a stressful time for their daughters, however, causing David to vow that if he could, Lord blessing, he would do whatever it took to allow his daughters the security and quiet joy of being able to remain in the same school district until their high school graduation! Since he never had the remotest chance of ever having that for himself and because of his own childhood experiences, he wanted to stop the multiple-school attendance for his beautiful girls. And God honored the desire of David’s heart.
Buying a smaller, modest house in Seaside, David & Susie then bought a franchise women’s wear store in Astoria, and they continued raising their two world-class daughters on the beautiful North Oregon Coast. Daughters who, by the way—
because of their father’s example of sensitively and sacrificially loving their mom and them; because of his honorable behavior in all he tried to do, in all his relationships, because of his example of always striving to do his best in all endeavors, because of his example of stopping the violent alcoholism he’d grown up in of stopping all the ugliness that came with his parents’ alcoholism he so sadly knew of stopping the craziness—AT HIM…
these two daughters, his legacy, would go on to choose wisely and marry their own soul-mates, each of them using the measure of their heroic father as their yardstick!
David & Susie’s sons-in-law would each soon become as much loved and cherished in their lives as their own daughters, often referring to either Scott or Aaron as their “son.” God’s Hands have been busy in this man’s life! It’s only natural that amazing grandchildren would figure into this Hand of God equation.
Aside from his work in their retail women’s wear store—doing the maintenance, inventory control, shipping and receiving, accounting, etc.—David would of course continue his writing, as a correspondent for The Oregon Journal in Portland and the Seaside Signal, and his own creative writing endeavors.
In 1999, well after their girls had graduated high school with having to only change public schools once in their lives, David & Susie experienced the Hand of God again…as the Lord brought about a welcome change of scene in both their work and home lives. While in Lincoln City, God opened a way for Susie to work at her dream job in the publishing world of Western New York. There they enjoyed exploring some of the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, the Allegheny Mtns. and Niagara Falls. And epic snowfall! David actually enjoyed shoveling their long circular driveway, even when it was several feet over his head! “Get’s the blood up!”
But in 2000, while in NY, David’s horrific childhood would rear its ugly head again, dragging him down further than ever! Diagnosed with PTSD, major depression and dissociative amnesia, he would be under the professional care of a nationally renowned psychologist who just “happened” to be specialized in PTSD. While recovering in the sanctuary of his home, David would write feature articles for several Western New York newspapers, and complete and publish his first novel, 25 years in the making, “Day Follow Night: From Chaos To Redemption.” Now out of print, but there are a few copies floating around on Amazon. And Susie will be looking to have it reprinted down the road.
David and Susie returned to Oregon in 2004, moving to Bend to take positions as assistant-managers at a retirement facility in 2005, having sought God’s Hand to allow them to retire to this climate of 300(+/-) days of sunshine a year. The retirement facility team job must have been God’s sense of humor about retiring, or else He didn’t hear them right! After almost a year of 60-80 hour work weeks—each—under the tyranny of one of the world’s worst managers ever, the retirement facility management positions were put in their rearview mirror. David and Susie took the handsome severance package offered them in lieu of their filing a lawsuit and waited for God’s Hand to move again in their lives… But hey, The Lord had gotten them to Central Oregon.
In 2013, God’s Hand moved them to their beloved Summer Hill where they have continuously thanked and praised Him for His Wisdom and Provision in blessing them with their open air sanctuary. In 2015, the Lord then brought them to their beloved Redmond Christian Church where they have continuously thanked and praised Him for His Love and Grace in providing them their long-sought faith family and a loving pastor who actually knows them by name. In 2016, they both retired, intending to while away their hours at Summer Hill.
In the fall of 2015, just after finding their church home, David became active in Celebrate Recovery (Friday nights here at Redmond Christian); he observed his 31st Anniversary of being clean and sober this last September. He gave his Testimony for CR in May of 2016 here and at several other area churches as well, and the story he told is still having its impact on believers and nonbelievers alike. Despite his years of counseling and medication, and a loving wife in a happy home, it was Celebrate Recovery that gave him a sense of worth and helped to deliver him from the torment that plagued him all his adult life. On his way home from a CR meeting in February of 2016, he pulled his little black pickup over alongside the highway and had an epiphany moment with His Lord & Savior.
Through it all, he always kept writing. Some dark stories, some children’s stories, some Christian work, and recently he published his 2nd book, “You Can Write A Million Dollar Memoir.” Also available on Amazon! It was a market-test book as a prelude to his long-awaited memoir…
Active in the Central Oregon Writers Guild, David was diagnosed with ALS in April, 2017, with initial symptoms becoming evident in retrospect in September of 2016. David somehow was able to finish his memoir, “Kid On Fire” this last summer, typing his last chapter with his left index finger and with a bit of flexion still remaining in his left arm and hand. His family will collaborate with the help of one of his colleagues from the Guild to get it published as soon as possible.
This last Thanksgiving Day, just three days after his passing, David somehow managed to send his family, gathered for dinner at Summer Hill, a magnificent long-lasting, complete rainbow as a greeting—assuring them of his newfound freedom, his new body rebuilt in Joy. Hallelujah, David has been set free from his earthly body that had become his prison, the ALS even taking his voice and ability to speak in the end.
As his grandson Henry said, looking at this most magnificent rainbow with his Gramma, “Maybe Grampa is walking across the top of it right now!”
A Veterans Day Tribute to My Dad. 11/11/2017
On Veterans Day, I honor all who served. Thank you to all veterans for your service & sacrifice!
Today and everyday I am grateful for my dad, David Burns, an amazing man and Navy veteran. He has truly achieved the American Dream and is a great role model to us.
His job as a sailor in the U.S. Navy was just one of dozens & dozens of jobs that he's had in his lifetime. He's been a successful Real Estate Agent on the Oregon Coast, and a successful U.S. Census Bureau Agent. He's been a bus driver for the City of Bend, and has worked for Bend Parks & Rec. He's been a Property Manager, and has had other jobs in management. He spent many years co-managing the biggest grocery/deli in Cannon Beach. And while there, he practically knew the whole town (and met celebrities).. And of course, he was Mr. Popular there, as well as at many other workplaces he's had. I've often heard wonderful comments about him, and I knew at a young age that I was a lucky girl to have him as my dad.
My dad has served his country, his family and his church. He's also been a caregiver, volunteer and donator countless times to his church and to those in need. He's had many roles in churches over the years, including a leader of sorts in Celebrate Recovery. Not long ago he gave his testimony speech to a full audience at my parents' church.. After speaking about his life and 30+ years of sobriety (not a sip of alcohol), he was given a standing ovation and some tearful hugs. He can easily make an audience laugh & cry with his amazing talent of creative writing. My dad has many other talents including public speaking, and has also served couples at ceremonies as a deacon.
My dad is a published novelist and a published non-fiction author. He has been a journalist for several newspapers, a published writer of short stories, and a Creative Writing award winner. He is also a bookworm. He has exceptional talents in writing, great skills and knowledge in literature, and has gotten great grades throughout his college education (Portland Community College & Portland State University), majoring in English.
Most people are strong in either English and the Arts or the Sciences and Math. My dad is strong in all subjects (same goes for my mom). He naturally excels in English, but also is brilliant in Math, Geometry, Biology, Geology and more. Whenever I needed help with my homework for any subject, I knew my dad could help me. He is a great tutor & teacher.
My dad is patient, kind and very knowledgeable about most every subject. He also taught me how to drive, after my mom gave up trying to teach me! (Haha) He was also my softball team coach one year. Out of all the many years I played softball in school, the year that my dad was our team coach was my favorite one. My teammates & friends loved him; I was a proud little player!
My dad is the smartest guy I know, too. And this is always a great thing, unless you're playing against him in Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy! He (and mom) have taught me the value of hard work, as well as doing well in school. And he and my mom have taught me what it means to be a good Christian. He has always worked in the household as much as my mom, too. He is also a fantastic cook! Thanks to both my parents, I truly had the best childhood imaginable. And my sister and I are so lucky to have grown up with a great, solid family on the incomparably beautiful Oregon Coast.
We can't say enough great things about my dad, "Mr. Wonderful," as we call him. He is definitely a renaissance man in every aspect of that definition.
We salute and honor him and all veterans today & always! Thank you, Dad, for being the best example in life to us! And to all veterans today, we sincerely thank you for your service.
~ Jami Burns