Vernon Lee (Sunny) Burns Jr.

Vernon Lee Bums Jr. (Sunny) passed away on the early morning of February 21, 2022 which happened to be Presidents Day. As someone that loved this country so much he couldn't have picked a better day to leave this earth. Vernon was a true patriot and constitutional conservative of this great country of ours.

Vernon (Sunny) is preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Vera Monteen Bums, and his brother Kenneth Burns. He is survived by his beloved wife Sharon L. Meadows of 16-1/2 years. He had one step son Daniel R. Hopgood (Tammy) three grandchildren Justin, Brendan, and Jordyn Hopgood, and one nephew Alan Burns and two nieces.

After graduating from high school in 1966 he was drafted into the Army. His place of entry was Montgomery. Alabama, his training took place at Fort Benning, Georgia, and after that he was sent to Fort Eustis, in Virginia for helicopter training. Once trained he was then sent to Fort Sill, in Oklahoma. After Oklahoma he was then sent to Korea where he spent 13 months before being honorably discharged from active duty and returning home to Alabama and civilian life.

While in Korea there was several times he risked his life to get a job done he was ordered to do. One example would be the time when his helicopter in which his battalion was traveling had to make an emergency landing in a field inside North Korea Vernon had the responsibility of repairing their helicopter before the enemy discovered their incursion which he promptly did and as he said get the Hell out of there.

As a true patriot and constitutional conservative, Vernon joined many different organizations to effect political change. Vernon's Scottish roots could be felt by all who knew him, whether friend or foe. He used his people skills and tenacity to effect change in the face of stiff opposition. He was a stanch fiscal conservative and advocated for responsible fiscal policies in all levels of government.

Vernon was an avid outdoorsman. He thoroughly enjoyed bird hunting, deer hunting, as well as fresh and saltwater fishing throughout Alabama. Over the years he was very active in out doors organizations. He supported very successful fundraising efforts to restore the Long Leaf Pine Habitat for Bob White Quail including the Talladega National Forest Choccolocco Wildlife Management area. His hunting and fishing tales were always vivid and true.

Vernon was also a successful partner in Substation Enterprises, a company that he

founded. It served the electrical substation construction industry. Vernon retired after the company was sold. He was 42 years old.

Vernon was a believer in relationships and was a very loyal friend. You could always count on him. His friends loved him and believed in the same ideals. Vernon was not a spectator in life. He grabbed life by the horns and made a big difference. His passion and love of God, country, family, and friends summarized his personal life. He was a great husband, and he loved me dearly. He always called me his angel, and he always told me that he felt truly blessed the day that I entered his life. May you rest in peace you will be truly missed by all.

Sunny was not a flower person. If you would like to honor his memory donations may be given to the following organizations in his honor that were near and dear to his heart.

The Heritage Foundation 214 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002

Hillsdale College 33 East College Street Hillsdale, Michigan 49242

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1893 Memphis, TN. 38101-99550

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kilgroefh.com for the Burns family.