THOMAS FRANCIS BURNS

Thomas Francis Burns born on December 8, 1936 passed away on March 16, 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, Pappa and Great Grandpa, friend and Coworker. He and his older brother Jim moved with their parents Clarence and Marion Burns from Milwaukee to Phoenix in 1948. At 14 years old he got a job as a ranch hand outside Flagstaff which led to stints in circuit rodeos. He was a lifeguard at the pool in Encanto Park and later joined the Coast Guard at 17 with his parents’ permission. After his service He worked as a lineman for Ma Bell a logger up in Chico and the old Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix. All awhile getting a GED and bachelor’s degree in art from Arizona State. After graduation he started his lifelong passion in sales. First selling trucks for International Harvester then as a liquor salesman and eventually in the construction supply business. He met his beautiful wife of 56 years Barbara in 1966 and convinced her to go on a date after he kept bugging her while she cashiered at a dry-cleaning store. They married on January 28th, 1967, in Phoenix AZ. Within three years they had two sons Ben and Beau. They moved to Fountain Valley Ca in 1973. In 1978 they moved to Las Vegas where he was a fixture in the construction supply industry for 43 years selling rebar and supplies. His experience in the tilt up business kept him working and enjoying his family and friends both at their beautiful home and abroad well into his 80’s. He loved deep sea fishing, hunting birds, skiing with friends, 64 1/2 Ford Mustangs, the color red, Labradors, watching Notre Dame football and most of all his wife, 2 sons and 6 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was a daily jogger into hid 60’s and was a veracious reader of western and historical fiction books. His quick passing leaves a hole in many hearts and he will be greatly missed. His service will be held 3/31/23 at 11am in the OLLV church. The reception to follow at the Burns residence.