RICHARD BURNS

Richard Wallace Burns, 85, son of Jesse George and Mayme Wallace Burns, was born Aug. 14, 1918, at Barr Lake, Colo. He died May 12, 2004, at his home in Cabool. He was a tank driver during World War II in the 603rd Tank Co. of the First Cavalry Division in Australia, the Philippines and New Guinea. He was in the initial landing party at the occupation of Japan after its surrender. He received several awards including two Bronze Stars and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon. The company was the subject of a first-hand account in the book, “”WWII from the Turrent”” by D. K. Strickler. He married Kathleen Mae Cooley March 3, 1946, in Denver, Colo. They had three sons. His wife died in September 1972. Mr. Burns was a dairy farmer near Cabool and co-owned Black Diamond Asphalt Co. in St. Louis for many years. He married Inez Marion Hicks of St. Louis in 1974. She died in February 2003. After leaving the farm and selling the business, he turned to his love of horses. He was a licensed horse trainer and worked with thoroughbreds for owners racing at Fairmont Park in Illinois. In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Howard and Robert; and three sisters, Barbara Jean Burns, Shirley Dunston and Virginia Dunston. Surviving are three sons, James Burns of Willow Springs, John Burns of Austin, Texas, and William Burns of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Burial with full military honors was May 17 at the Pine Lawn Cemetery at Winona under the direction of Elliott-Gentry Funeral Home of Cabool. “