By james art
James Joseph Burns
OBITUARY
James Joseph Burns, 86, of Schuylkill Haven, formerly of Winter Park, Fla., died May 17 at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville.
Born in Pottsville on November 16, 1931, he was the son of the late James M. and Mary Mae Tobin Burns.
After attending Pottsville High School, James enlisted in the Air Force, serving in both Korea and Vietnam. He retired in 1970 as a master sergeant after a 22-year career during which he was awarded a Bronze Star for his outstanding work in aircraft logistics in Vietnam. Other military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Longevity Award, and United Nations Service Medal.
His post-war employment included director of human resources for the city of San Bernardino, California, during which time he earned an award from the Mexican Consulate for promoting good relations with Mexico. He was active in the Jaycees and served as a JCI International Senator in 1968. He served extensively in the Air Force Association, earning citations for promoting scholarships and educational opportunities.
James was a 30-year member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida, where he served as an usher.
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph B. Burns, John F. “Bucky” Burns and Edward J. Tobin and sisters Margaret Alice Burns (infant), Catherine Horne and Mary B. Miles.
Surviving are his wife, Esther Mathias Burns, Schuylkill Haven; brother, Lawrence J. (Mary Rose) Burns, Port Carbon; a niece, Maureen Challenger and her husband, John, Schuylkill Haven, with whom he lived for the past year; additional nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nephews and great-great-nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Stephen, Port Carbon. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Disabled Veterans Foundation (4601 Forbes Blvd., Suite #130, Lanham, MD 20706. Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, 208 Pike St., Port Carbon, is in charge of Please send condolences at www.roberaevansjrfh.com.
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