John Albert Burns

(Feb. 13, 1925 – April 7, 2016)
John Albert Burns, 91, passed away on a beautiful spring morning, April 7, 2016. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed being with family and friends.
John (Johnny) was born in Harriman, Tenn. At the age of 3, his father passed away and John began living at the Junior Home Orphanage in Tiffin, Ohio, with his older brother Sidney and sister Myrtle (Bunche). When he was 12, he returned to Harriman to live with his mother and Grandpa Phillips.
John enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the young age of 16. Shortly after enlistment, the United States entered WWII. John’s campaign medals included the WWII Victory Medal, Liberty–Philippine Liberation WWII Military Merit, Asiatic Pacific campaign, European African Middle Eastern campaign, American Defense Service Medal and Philippine Independence. Near the end of WWII he was assigned to the ship USS Daniel A. Joy, a destroyer escort. His duty at sea was as Ships Cook, First Class and his battle station was a 5” artillery gun. A notable achievement in the war was his involvement in the Battle of Okinawa and Leyte Gulf. At the end of the war, after receiving an honorable discharge, John and his wife Shirley lived in Florida, then moved their family to Seattle in 1950. John had a wide variety of employment during his life: bus driver for Metro Transit, owner of the BF Goodrich tire shop, owner of the Chevron gas station in Lynnwood, and heavy equipment mechanic for Snohomish County until his retirement in 1988. John loved horses; he was an owner, breeder, a self-taught farrier and horse trainer; his horse Dab-oh-ney received the Legion of Merit Award. His daughters Nannette and Bev were his riders in many horse shows across the Northwest.
He married Teresa Boyes in 1979. Together they enjoyed golfing, snow skiing and playing cribbage. They are longtime members of the Everett Ski Club and spent many fun-filled and happy times at the cabin. After his retirement, John mainly held the role of ‘Mr. Mom’ to his youngest daughter Carolyn, but he also worked briefly at the Iron Eagle driving range in Monroe. During his time in retirement he enjoyed golfing and ski trips, taking Carolyn to her sports activities, and building his 1965 Austin Healy kit car. Later in life he continued to golf with the Men’s Club at Blue Boy Golf Course, play poker at the East County Senior Center and spend time with friends at Ixtapa weekly ‘Club.’ John held volunteer roles in 4H leadership (Pegasus Patrol) and served on the Evergreen State Fair board of directors. He was a lifetime member of The American Legion and a member of the VFW.
Upon his death, John was the patriarch of the Burns family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver Edward and Ida Josephine Mayton Burns; his siblings, Gillis Burns, Sidney Burns and Myrtle (Bunche) Davis; half-siblings, George Burns, Delta Mayton Scarbrough and Ollie Mayton Hatfield; and his grandson Buck Jobius Jones. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Teresa (Boyes) Burns and their daughter Carolyn Burns (Aaron) Fjelstad; his four children Sidney (Pam) Burns, Johnnie Gail Burns, Beverly Burns (John Harum), and Nannette (Mike) Jones from his first marriage to Shirley (Callis); four grandchildren, Gretchen (Jacob) Green, Luke Jones, Zach Jones and Emily Burns. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins from Tennessee, Indiana and California.
Memorial contributions can be made to Monroe Congregational Church or the charity of your choice.