Today is another somber day for me and our loved ones, my dearest, as we re-live the day of your passing. Having fought the good fight, and given the struggle with that debilitating, evil disease of ALS a run for its money, you were called Home and delivered out of your bodily prison, free from the misery it had become! Your profound joy in the Heavenly presence of your Creator and Lord, (as only we who are left behind and who personally know Jesus, the Light of the World, as our Savior, can imagine), brings us the comfort and solace we need to carry on... And just three days thereafter, as we gathered at the table at Summer Hill to do our best to carry on the Thanksgiving traditions we had enjoyed together as family, you clearly surprised us all, by asking the Lord to provide us with a monumental, full-arc rainbow across the sky in view of our little home overlooking the sun-drenched Terrebonne Valley and fabulous Smith Rock! And your grandson, after gazing at the spectacle with all of us, came to me and told me he thought he could see you walking and dancing across the top of that magnificent rainbow, free from the chains that had bound you here on earth in your last days! God's Peace and Joy be with you, my Beloved... I miss you every day. And will always live you...

Happy Birthday, Dad. We still miss you so much! You had so many great achievements, countless friends & countless people who truly loved you so much during your life. You were always so honest, wicked intelligent (smartest man I’ve ever known), so kind, very loving, friendly, funny, generous, hard working & a true patriotic (Republican) Christian. You were simply the best, no doubt about it. I was so blessed to call you ‘Dad’ for 44 years. You taught me so much in life. And thanks to you (and Mom), I have a true love of God & country. I know you’re in heaven watching over us. I will keep fighting the good fight & keep doing my best to make you proud. We love you so much, Dad! I know we’ll see you again someday.  Love you, jami & Scott

Marking this day, your 82nd Birthday! It is still so painfully wrenching to live this day without your beautiful, loving, caring, fun and comedic, intelligent, gentle, kind, honest, humble, courageous, faithful, good and true, heroic spirit gracing my life, like you did for our 49 years of living this earthly life together as one. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing you again--restored, vibrant, pain-free, fully glorious in your heavenly joy and peace with Jesus! I will always love you with all my heart. And it was the great honor of my life to have been your wife through all the rain and sunshine of our lives. Gone too soon...

5 years now... Five long years since you left us here and went to be with your Lord Jesus in that Great Mansion in the Sky! We miss you beyond words and the world is sorely lacking your beautiful light! Celebrate yourself while you're up there with your mama, your buddies Cork, Kenny, and now Tom. And all those other friends and admirers you collected over your amazing life that I can't even think of right now! Thank you for being such a glorious part of our lives.

We miss you every day, Dad/David. We think about you all the time. Wishing you peace.. And we know you are an angel watching over us.  We love you very much.

September 24, 2022. I keep seeing the number 81 flash before me. The age you would be today if you were here. I remember your last birthday celebration here on earth...when you had your family around you and we celebrated your turning 76! What a rough and challenging year that last one was for you. For us all. It's a cold comfort to know you're free from all that pain and degradation you went through with ALS, a Veterans Administration rated 100% service-connected disability. Thank you for being the beautiful light and blessing you were to this miserable old world... Have a Happy Birthday celebration in Heaven with your loved ones there. I love you and miss you every day...

I don't think I have any pics but I can say that I really miss that little guy who had the biggest heart!

Having been painfully aware of this remarkable date approaching, for weeks now, my mind and heart are turned toward you today, David. You were a most remarkable, wonderful, humble and kind, delightful, honorable man! So easy to love! Today would've been your 80th! I will celebrate you in my heart and mind today especially. Happy 80th Birthday in Heaven, my Beloved. I'm so grateful to our loving Lord Jesus that you do not have to witness the destruction of the country you served and died for...what a hell-hole America is now! I can't hardly wait to get out of here and join you there! Give Cork and Patti & Kenny and your folks my love and a hug for me! See you soon!

Three years now... lying awake in the middle of the night...remembering...all that we had. All that we once were.

Such 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...

My Beloved... just as your first name, David, translates into, from the Hebrew...Beloved!
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 began the observation of what would have been your 78th Birthday on the evening before with a walk along our mostly untraveled road. With your little loving lap pal, Jake. We had a lovely walk of solitude in holy communion with Father God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit and you! It was an Alleluia capsule of bittersweet memories of you and us. In the sunset minutes of brilliant colors, clouds, and snow-dusted Cascade Mountains, I listened for you and you were there. Smiling, loving, joyous and made new again. It was a blessing I carried with me all through your 78th Birthday, in whatever I was doing... But we were together again in thought and soul. I love you, David Burns. Eternally.

My Dear Booggitty...
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

Remembering our amazing dad today. I am also thankful for my friends, family, and loved ones who knew & loved my awesome & inspiring dad. I believe he is an angel in heaven smiling down on us & watching over us. Thank you, Lord, for the best blessing in life that I could have ever asked for. Even though he’s gone and we miss him terribly, he still inspires me today and everyday to be the best human being I can be...  Dad, you were simply the best! We love & miss you soo much. Please save a place by your side up there in heaven. XO ~ jami & Scott

Remembering it all again, on this day: my priceless gem of a husband on his "woulda been 77th birthday." Eyes fill with watery tears, heart breaks for my unspeakable loss all over again, but at the same time my spirit soars with boundless gratitude to our awesome Lord Jesus for the immense, immeasurable and indescribable impact this man had on my life! He was my life! For 49 years! Like he and I had to do so many times in our married life, I am now finding my way back up-side again to, through the rest of my life, with Jesus as my confidante, my shelter, my guide and Great Love...picking up a piece of my heart here, one there, fitting together the fracture lines, rebuilding my heart into one that can be of service to my Lord God, in David's honor. Dance a happy dance in Heaven, my dear husband...reunited in loving arms of long lost loved ones... see you again one day... I will always love you!

Happy birthday, Dad. :)
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

David will be missed. I am grateful for the short time that I knew him.

[the following comments are transcribed from the Guest Book at David's Celebration of Life Service, December 9th, 2017, 3pm, Redmond Christian Church, Redmond, OR]

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

I didn’t know David or your family but wanted to share some words of encouragement. From your comments I can see David truly had an impact on the lives of those around him. We can take comfort in knowing that in the near future God promises in John 5:28, 29 that there will be a resurrection so we can welcome our loved ones back. Until that time — deep sympathy— Julia

I knew David when we were both members of a local writers group several years ago. He was such a good writer, and his stories were most compelling and enjoyable, illustrative of his creativity and imagination. He very kindly complimented my writing, as I did his. He was a true gentleman, thoughtful and blessed with a ready wit, which was always appreciated by his fellow writers. Sadly, I just learned of the struggle he dealt with during his final years before his passing. The earth was a better place by his presence, and he shall be greatly missed. I am thankful that he left his written words as his legacy. My condolences to his family, and many thanks for honoring him with this memorial website.

Sweet David, kind, generous, humble, and sensitive human being! You always appeared with a sweet smile and a hug. I was deeply grieved to hear about the ALS. Since Cannon Beach days, over 25 years ago, I've only known you as one - David and Susie. My heart aches to see you separated. But I praise God for the gift you were to me and all who knew you. I am blessed to have had you both in my life. David Burns I am thankful for the Everlasting Hope we have - knowing that I will see you again one day. My thoughts, prayers and heart are with you Susie Q. May God's great Love and Grace carry you through this journey. Love you.

It has been too long since I have spent time with the Burns family, but I remember David as being such a kind and gentle soul with a ready smile. Rest in Peace, David. You were loved beyond measure.

Wow! Life passes by too fast sometimes. I did not know brother David long enough. I will cherish the brief time I was blessed to walk with him. As we journey through this path of life, we meet people along the way who encourage us, laugh with us and even share tears with us. I was beginning to realize David as one of those wonderful people. A felt a forever friendship and will miss him.

David, what an honor to have known you. I'm so sorry that I didn't make it to see you before you passed. You are in a better place you lucky bum :-) All of us who have had the pleasure of knowing you will miss you so much, until we're reunited with our heavenly father. I can't make it on Saturday, I thought the memorial was in the am so I scheduled in the pm......oh Maureen!!! I will be with you in spirit and I will be sure and keep your beautiful, wonderful wife laughing as much as I can. Love you!!!

Dear Susie-Q and family~ David was one of the kindest souls that I have had the privilege of knowing. His humor and wit had me laughing within the first moments of meeting you both. His love and adoration for you was beyond compare. I wish we had all met earlier in life so that I could have known him longer-to have enjoyed you both in different circumstances. Your family rally to your amazing husband during his illness has been inspirational. I am grateful for his service to us, to his Country, and for the sacrifice he made for us all. Susie, I am in awe of your grace, love, and attentiveness to his honorable man through this extraordinarily difficult process. My sincerest sympathies go out to you, your family, and friends for your loss. You are in my heart always.

I did not know the Burns very well when they stepped into my office less than a year ago. I could sense immediately that they were God fearing people with the giving and caring way that they communicated, and David he had such an infectious smile. Shortly after our first meeting I saw them at the store and Susie told me that David had a diagnoses of ALS. I was upset that the Lord had put such a good man and woman through such a trial in their lives. David had already been through a lot with his addictive behavior. After I found out of his passing I was truly upset and want you to know that for the short time that I had known you and David, both of you made a lasting impact in my life. You are truly soldiers of our Lord, spreading his word as you go. God has big plans for David Burns! You should be very proud of that man.

This note is from our dear sister in the Lord, and one of our closest of friends, Jon Ella Miler in Spokane, from her Sympathy card: " Nov.28, 2017. Oh Sweet Susie--From my heart to yours my deepest, heartfelt love and sympathy and sorrow in your loss. Our comfort is "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." I always admired the way you two loved each other. What an example of what "being married" truly is. You both have gone through deep trials in your lives and have clung to the Lord and each other. Your love roots are deep and it grew your faith. Keep clinging! Love you deeply, Jon Ella. I am sorry I can't attend David's Service as I will be in North Carolina attending my grandson, Tyler's graduation from Seminary. He and his wife have 4 little girls. Miss you, Hugging you--hard..."

[from Nancy Shaw] When  I remember David, I will remember a kind, loving, gentle, Godly man with the greatest smile ever. I will remember how he touched the life of my son, Scott, and I will remember how he walked with God in this life and has shown how to gracefully enter the next with dignity, faith and trust. He will never be forgotten by anyone who was lucky enough to be touched by his life.  God's Holy Light truly shined in this man and will continue to shine in all of our hearts forever til we meet again.  We are blessed that we will see David through the eyes of our beautiful daughter-in-law, Jami, and all of her precious memories. There are no words to fully describe the love and devotion of this family this past year.  I would have to write another page about Susie, but the most amazing thing was how she and David continued, Faithfully,, Neverending, to carry the word of God to all, at the most difficult (beyond words) time.  David left this world surrounded by the love of his family.  I pray for God's comfort and blessings and healing to this dear family.  Love, Nancy [Thank you, dear sister...]

"You always made my troubles feel so small.. And you were always there to catch me when I'd fall.. In a world where heroes come and go,
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.

A lovely Sympathy card from our Case Manager, Cassie, at Council on Aging, Deschutes County...
"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

This note is from a beautiful Sympathy card from dear friends from our previous church in Bend...
"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"

This note is from a beautiful Sympathy card from our dear friend and sister in Christ we had the honor and privilege to know through our former church in Bend...
"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"

This note is from a beautiful Sympathy Card sent from our pastor's wife's mom, Sharon...
"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..."

David will be remembered as a sweet and gentle man. I am so sorry for your loss Susie.

I knew David and Susie from Cannon Beach. What I remember most about him is his kindness, gentle spirit and quiet strength and the delicious omelette he whipped up for Susie and I for dinner when I "overstayed" my time at their apartment watching a Blazer game. I say overstayed because I loved being there and never liked leaving the emotional warmth of their home. Years have passed and I have lost touch with them but I saw his obit in the Daily Astorian yesterday and it broke my heart. I love you Susie and my heart is with you during this time of sorrow....

David has been my big brother since I was very little, i think my first memories of him was when he came home from overseas while in the Navy, he brought us green licorice from San Francisco, it was awesome! I have been in awe of him ever since. I will always remember his smile and wit and that little chuckle he had when something tickled him. I remember how happy he was when he married the love of his life, Susie, and the enduring love she has for him, and when his daughters were born, nothing more precious I have ever seen. He will live on in my heart.

It was an honor for me to be David's son-in-law. I considered him a good friend, as well. He set the bar in so many ways that I strive to live up to. I loved him a lot, and already miss him so much.

I only knew David a short while but I will miss him dearly. He was such a gentle soul.

David, I could tell you were loved by many and will be missed.

I feel so fortunate to have known David, even for a short time. From the moment I met him, his eyes smiled, his demeanor gentle; he radiated a special kindness that is not often found in this world. The love between David and Susie is a special kind of love that carried them both through his battle with ALS. He now rests, in peace and honor. Much love to you and your family.

How i met David and Susie Burns, was wen i went to celebrate recovery
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.

I always enjoyed being with David; however, I don't feel that I really knew him. Apparently he was dearly loved by his family, and that is an inspiration to me. I pray that I'll be able to spend some quality time with him in Heaven.

That smile, that wit, that kindness, what a gift you were in my life. I feel so blessed to have the time I did as your friend.

We are truly grateful and thankful for getting to share in a wee part of your amazing life journey. Your wit and laughter will be missed here on earth but so looking forward to meeting up with you in heaven to hear more stories. I am thankful you are no longer hurting but sad you had to leave so soon. Until we meet again my friend!

My Beloved...My Honey Boy...My Booggitty... My Khoodlee... My Man...My Burnsy...My Love...My Hero...My Champion...My Everything...My One & Only... I can barely breathe without your beautiful strength and goodness here beside me. If you can, please watch over me from your joyous park bench in heaven. Don't forget me...Come back to visit me. Please. Oh, God-- I miss you beyond words to express. How grateful I am to our loving Lord who saved you from the evil imprisonment of your ALS-riddled body...but the cost you had to pay...the cost to me is...insurmountable! May God take me Home soon that I might be with you again. You were my sheltering oak.

Remembering David. He was an amazing man, who blessed everyone with his faith, kindness, and words of wisdom. Our prayers and sympathies are with your family. Love, Sandy, Josh, Kiera and Brody Connell

This memorial was created in honor of David H. Burns of Terrebonne, Oregon. David was born on September 24, 1941 in South Bend, Washington, and passed on November 20, 2017 in Bend, Oregon. David was one in a billion, and was an extremely remarkable man. He was truly loved by so many and will be dearly missed by all friends and family.

You have no idea how much I already miss you and will miss you for the rest of my life. I was SO blessed to be able to call you "Dad."

We love you so much, Dad. You are our inspiration, our role model and our hero. I will look up to you forever and ever.