Donald Patrick Burney

Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in March of 1945, to parents James Henry Burney and Lillian Runyon Burney Mahoney, Pat grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended Windsor Park and Montclair Elementary Schools, Hamlin and Cullen Junior High Schools, and W. B. Ray High School, where he played basketball, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and graduated in 1963. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and graduated with Honors and memberships in Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi from Texas A & M University in 1967. He attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, graduating in 1970. Pat completed his Internship, his General Surgery Residency, and his Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, and was Board Certified in General and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Between 1972 and 1974 he served two years in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Major.

In 1979, he joined the Greensboro practice of CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, which later became Triad Cardiothoracic Surgery. He practiced as a cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgeon at Moses Cone Hospital, Wesley Long Hospital, Moses Cone Women’s Hospital, and Kindred Hospital.

Pat is survived by his loving wife Charlotte of almost 58 years; their sons, J.D. Burney (Leif) of Fort Mill, SC and Joe Burney (Jennifer) of Charlotte, NC; and their daughter, Elizabeth Burney Malinzak, M.D. (Michael) of Durham, NC. He was a hero grandpa to his seven grandchildren—Diego and Dezi Burney; Jordan, Joshua, and Juliet Burney; and Patrick and Annette Malinzak. He is also survived by his brother Michael Burney (Rita) of Durant, OK, and his sister Janet Hornblower (Joe) of Riviera, TX.

Pat loved learning and was a member of many medical societies, associations, and committees, as well as volunteer organizations. He served in leadership positions in the hospitals and in American Heart Association chapters. He was particularly proud to support his sons’ soccer teams, his daughter’s ballet performances, and to participate on the Eagle Board of the Nathaniel Green Council of Boy Scouts of America. A highlight for him in retirement was to teach first year Thoracic Residents at UNC School of Medicine.

Pat was proud to help raise three successful adult children who have wonderful families. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play soccer, dance in ballet companies and Irish Dance feiseanna, and participate in Boy and Girl Scouts. He celebrated each child’s and grandchild’s achievements. He was proud that his three children earned undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Pat was a brilliant, diligent physician, and a generous giver, whose intelligence and compassion saved lives and lifted spirits. He was always determined to give each patient the best surgical result and advocated for his patients to receive the best possible care, no matter whom he needed to address. He brought new procedures to Moses Cone Hospital, such as Thoroscopy, Thoroscopic Lobectomy, and several Interventional Brochoscopy procedures.

In retirement, when he was not with his grandchildren, at the beach drinking unique root beers, traveling to old and new destinations, or watching classic black and white Westerns and war movies, he loved flyfishing with his buddies. He avidly cheered on Texas A & M football and wore his 35 year streak as a season ticket holder at Kyle Field like a badge of honor! He excitedly watched Wake Forest basketball and football and could break down a basketball play, a soccer formation, or an American football strategy with the same thoughtful precision he brought to his work as a physician. A memorial service will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, 1:00 p.m., at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. A reception will follow the service at the church.

Any memorials may be made in his name to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

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