Thomas Phillip Burns, 87, passed away June 21, 2020 at the Bibb Medical Center in Centreville, AL. Thomas was born in El Paso TX on August 15, 1932, and raised in Carlsbad NM. In 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country for 20 years, stationed in Fairchild Aircraft, Hagertown, MD; Sikorsky Helicopter, Bridgeport CT; Lockheed Aircraft INTL, NY; Incirlik AB Turkey; Chambley-Bussières AB France, Keesler AFB, MS; Hutchinson AFS, KS; Travis AFB, CA; Scott AFB, IL; Don Muang AB Thailand, Korat AB Thailand ; Udorn AB Thailand; Tahkli AB Thailand; Nakhon Phanom AB Thailand; U-Tapao AB Thailand, Maxwell AFB, AL, and Gunter AFB, AL. He retired as Lt. Colonel in Montgomery AL. As a USAF test pilot he was certified to fly over 24 different types of fixed and rotary military aircraft during his career. He served in 35 combat missions during the Vietnam conflict. Post USAF retirement, Tom entered into a career of corporate controller for several large corporations in Montgomery, Alabama.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, James Leslie Burns and Billie Marie Lillian Rurak; and three brothers, Charles Robert Burns, James Patrick Burns and Jerry Michael Burns.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Gerrie Dickerson Burns; daughter, Elizabeth Burns Williams (Brad J. Williams) of Atlanta, Georgia; son, Thomas Phillip “Phil” Burns Jr. (Jami Brooks Burns) of Montevallo, Alabama; grandsons, Preston Phillip Burns, and Jackson Bridges Burns of Montevallo, Alabama; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces in California and Texas.
A private memorial service will be held at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation https://www.alzinfo.org/donate/donation_form/.
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