“Sandy” Joe Doss Burns of College Station, Texas passed away on January 12, 2021. Sandy was born in Raymondville, Texas to Ella Mae and Felix Lamar Burns on December 22, 1944. Sandy graduated from Raymondville High School and went on to get his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Pan American University. Sandy married Susan Louise Albritton on May 31, 1968 and they had two daughters Misti Sheri and Krystal Kay.
Sandy was a family man. He was madly in love with his Susan and everyone knew it! They were married 52 years but had known each other for more than 60, they were inseparable! He was a loving and devoted Daddy to his girls and Poppy to his grandchildren. As “Mr. Burns” he loved teaching and gave his students his absolute best in his 30 plus years as an educator. Seventeen of those years were at South Knoll Elementary in College Station. He loved reading Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder to his students every year and went above and beyond with personal touches in his classroom. He would often be seen by former students around town and loved hearing about their accomplishments and families. Sandy also had a painting business for 40 years which gave him another way to be involved in the community. Sandy was always looking for ways to serve others. He loved helping people! He was baptized into Christ as a young man and even did some preaching while he was in college. He was a member of the Raymondville Church of Christ for the early part of his life where he served as deacon for many years. After moving to College Station in 1984, he was a member of the A&M Church of Christ where he served as a deacon and a Bible class teacher. He had many anecdotes and sayings that his daughters and grandchildren know well; two of his favorite “Poppyisms” were “The days of wine and roses is over,” and “Make your plan, work your plan!” He loved music from Elvis to George Jones and he never tired of listening to gospel. His absolute favorite was The Chuck Wagon Gang! He enjoyed going to the movies and eating popcorn, hotdogs, and drinking a “good Coke.” He loved Lonesome Dove and made sure there was a yearly viewing of it. Watching Aggie Football was a favorite and he was able to watch them win the Orange Bowl on January 2.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ella Mae and Felix Lamar Burns and his brother Bill Burns.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Susan Burns of College Station, his children, Misti Mason of Garland, TX, and Krystal Bridges (married to Matthew) of Bryan, TX. His four grandchildren are Brielle Mason, Ainsley Mason, Reagan Mason and Trullis Bridges. Two sisters, Bobbie Jean Spruiell of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Brenda Blythe of College Station, and his brother Don Burns (wife Lila) of McAllen, TX. One aunt, Virginia Lagerstam (husband Emil, deceased) of College Station, TX. Two special brothers in law, Rusty Albritton (wife Kathy) of Lyford, TX, and Carrol Harris (wife Sammye Jo, deceased) of Arlington, TX. There are many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends that were so special to Sandy.
We would like to thank the ICU nurses and doctors at College Station CHI St. Joseph Hospital for caring for Sandy as he battled COVID pneumonia. If anyone would like to honor Sandy’s memory, treats, gift cards, or other tributes can be taken to these special caregivers. Sandy also battled Parkinson’s Disease for the last ten years, donations can be made to continue research on this disease at Michaeljfox.org.
A video tribute celebrating Sandy’s life can be found soon on Sandy and Susan’s Facebook page.
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