Robert Glenn Burns

SHREVEPORT, LA - A memorial service celebrating the life of Robert Glenn Burns will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2011 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71108. Officiating will be Reverend Nolan Logan. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Robert was born on May 1, 1921 to Henry Robert Burns and Tura Jane Lee Burns Wilson in Shreveport, LA and passed November 5, 2011 at Colonial Oaks Nursing Home in Bossier City, LA. He attended C.E. Byrd High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 14, 1939. While attending aircraft school at Hunter Field in Savannah, Georgia, he met and married his beloved wife of 70 years, Tressie Mae Johnson.

During World War II, Robert served with the 17th Bomb Squad, 27th Bomb Group on the Philippine Islands as an airplane mechanic until his designation changed to rifleman to defend the Bataan Peninsula from the Japanese invasion. Robert and his comrades fought bravely until his unit surrendered on April 9, 1942. He survived the Bataan Death March and three and a half years in a Japanese prison camp before liberation on the island of Honshu, Japan in August, 1945. Robert received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the distinguished unit citation award, and numerous other awards and medals for his service and bravery.

After returning home, he started his own residential contracting business, and later partnered with B.E. Nims of Shreveport. His business expanded to include construction of both commercial buildings and churches throughout Shreveport and Bossier City. Robert’s specialty was brick masonry, and he became the most sought after brick mason in Shreveport. He also volunteered for many years in the prison ministry.

Robert Burns was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was loved by all who knew him. His priorities in life were God, family, and country.

In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his brothers Jessie Mack Burns and Charles Harold Burns, and his sister Jewel Beatrice Burns Albert. Left to treasure his memory are his wife Tressie; sons, Hubert Glen Burns and wife Donna, of Bossier City; Gary Robert Burns, of Shreveport; Ronald Gene Burns and wife Paula, of Tyler, TX; grandchildren, Jacqueline Burns Jillson, Bradley Burns and wife Libby, Anthony Burns, Matthew Burns and wife Autumn, Lyndsey Burns, Hannah Burns, and Samantha Burns; great-grandchildren, Neely, Brianna, Connor, and Logan Burns; Zachary and Joshua Jillson; sister Mary Virginia “Jenny” Barney and sister-in-law Rosalind T. Burns, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Colonial Oaks Nursing Home and Life Path Hospice Care.

“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Psalm 121:8

You may offer condolences and sign the on-line guest book by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.com.