Robert Lee Burns was born on January 13, 1928 in Charleston, West Virginia to parents William and Zenia (Thompson) Burns and entered into rest on March 06, 2020 in Mabank, Texas. To those that knew him Robert was known as Bob, he was outgoing, funny and very intelligent. He attended Stonewall Jackson High school, and entered into the Navy at the age of 17, where he honorably served as a supply storekeeper. Bob earned his Master’s degree in business from Pepperdine and worked in the banking field for over 40 years, starting as a bank teller and working his way up to become the Chairman and CEO of Lakewood Bank. He was very much a family man, he loved spending time his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob would enjoy playing poker, a round of golf, or going fishing when he wasn’t busy with his many volunteer obligations. He was a part of many organizations; Dallas Parks Board, Chamber of Commerce, Parkland Hospital Board, YMCA, East Dallas Exchange Board where he served as president, Triethnic board which was charged with the desegregation of the Dallas Schools. Bob was a Shriner and a 33rd degree Mason, part of the Oriental Band in Dallas and he also enjoyed donning his kilt as part of the Highlanders in Dallas. Bob married the love of his life Rosemary Sullivan on February 20, 1948, they loved to travel and go on cruises together, later in life they moved to the lake area and he was on the board of the Cedar Creek Country Club, a lifetime member of the PTA, served on the Board of Economic Development of Kemp and was a member of the Cedar Creek Rotary Club. Bob had a very full life with his family and those that knew him, he will truly be missed by all.
He is preceded in death by his parents William and Zenia Burns, brother Clarence Burns and Grandson Eric Burns.
Bob is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rosemary Burns of Kemp, TX, Son Larry and wife Vicki of Dallas, TX, daughter Kelly Hamilton and husband Michael of Kemp, TX, daughter Kimberly Cundiff and husband William of Scurry, TX, grandchildren Robin Burns, Kelly Marie Malone and husband Jacob, Katie Yarbrough and husband Justin, Kristin Swann and husband Andrew, Darryl Swann, Darian Hamilton, Matthew Ballentine and wife Kandy, Tara Hamilton, McKayla Hamilton, 6 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Joanna Koontz of Denver, CO and many other family members and lifelong friends.
