"The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are, but on how happy others can be because of you." - unknown
These words are the perfect way to describe Jim "Dean" Burns; our son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, cousin and friend. Seeing the outpouring of love that our family has received after the news of Jim's death simply reinforces how much his light touched everyone around him.
He was a talented artist, designer, and a computer wizard. Jim was hilarious, smart and the most kind and loving human being you'd ever meet. He graduated from North Sanpete High School in 2007, while simulatneously earning his Associates degree from Utah State. He actually received his Associates degree the week before he graduated from High School. In recent years he had been a student at the University of Utah working towards a Bachelors degree. He had a deep passion for computers and animation.
Jim was a gift to everyone that was lucky enough to know him.
We are heartbroken at the loss of Jim and know that it will profoundly change each of our lives as we continue on without him, but thanks to the selflessness and love that Jim showed each of us, we will find the strength to move forward with our broken hearts and help each other heal. Because he spent his life on earth trying to make everone happy, I know he will give us the strength to get through this terrible tragedy.
Our memories of Jim will help us get through the difficult days that lie ahead. Although he may no longer be here with us physically, he will be there by our sides through all of the good moments, and the hard times that are to come. We have not yet felt the full magnitude of this devastating loss, it will be felt deeply for the rest of our lives.
If you are close to the family or Jim's good friends, please continue to reach out in the weeks, months and years to come. Your support will always be welcome. It is only through the grace and kindess of our family and friends that we will be able to get through this.
Jim is survived by his father Fred, his beautiful mother Kris, and step-father Kelly. His amazing brother and best friend, Justin (Judy). His brother Barclay and sisters Brooke (Kelly) and Tiffany. His Nanny and Grandpa Hal, his aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and COUNTLESS friends!
Preceded in death by his grandfather, Richard Madsen and his cousin Kimmi Tanner.
Jim loved life and was adventurous and made us laugh every chance he got.
Life will not be the same without him so we need to find comfort in those around us. He would want nothing more than continued happiness for the friends and family that he left behind.
A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday October 29th - An open house will be held at the LDS church on 11420 S 700 W Draper, UT 84020 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. At 8:30 pm close friends and family will gather at the home of Kris Burns to give Jim a send off with LED lit balloons! The address for the balloon sendoff is 661 Dunning Court, please park at the church where the open house is being held.
A go fund me account has also been created for the family;
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, James (DEAN) Burns, 27, born on April 12, 1989 and passed away on October 23, 2016.
I remember the first time Jimmy and Justin moved to Fountain Green. Our bus would pick them up from their house that was a couple miles out of town. They had a really long driveway that seemed to be about the length of a football field. Everyday they'd walk that drivway out to the highway in the snow or rain, waiting for the bus to pick them up. There were days that they were running (litterally) late for the bus and we'd all laugh and giggle on the bus watching him scurry down the driveway being the goofy kid he was.
Jimmy and Justin weren't accepted right away after moving from a big city to the small town. But they soon won the hearts of all the small town kids in Sanpete. In no time THEY were the coolest brothers in Sanpete County. Jimmy was so funny and unique and was friends with everybody in school. Jimmy knew of all the cool stuff kids our age were doing, and taught us much of it. I remember a trend he started in middle school. He'd take the blue plastic piece from the bottle cap lid of a 20 oz. soda bottle, and stretch it out to make a bracelet. He taught all of us how to do this, and we were all in awe with the cool things he would come up with. Soon most kids were wearing blue plasitc bracelets. Jimmy was definitley a leader.
I remember when he started a band with some friends from school and their band name was "Door Ajar".
Jimmy was a Coca Cola fanatic! I remember his entire bathroom was Coca Cola branded products. And seeing pictures of him going to the Coca Cola factory. (He was so cool!)
Jimmy was a very, very smart kid. Like, extremely intelligent. But he was so nonchalant about it. I remember him helping others with school assignments and projects after school in his free time. He never made anybody feel stupid, but was happy to help anyone!
And what I will remember most about Jimmy, was his relationship with his big brother Justin. Boy, did I admire those two. I never thought getting a long with your sibling existed, but not only did they get along they were best friends! I didn't think that was possible back then. These two were so incredible together. They were always having fun, always had the funniest things to say, and really taught all of us a lot about life!
