Charles "Chuck" Burns

Chuck was born April 27, 1927 in Sedan, Kansas to Herman and Josephine Burns. He grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho and joined the United States Marine Corps from high school. Chuck served in Hawaii during World War II and was honorably discharged on his 20th birthday with the rank of Corporal. On November 1, 1947, Chuck married Shirley Anderson in Warm Springs, Oregon.

He entered the logging industry, first driving log trucks and later in the saw mill. Chuck worked first as a sawyer, moving on to a position as a millwright and eventually became a superintendent. He started in Warm Springs and later worked in Lees Camp, Wrangle, Alaska and Tillamook. While in, Tillamook Chuck left the logging industry to become an electrician. He was an owner/operator of B & D Electric in Tillamook until the early 1970’s when he moved to Portland. Chuck was a long time member of IBEW Local 48 and retired in 1989.

Outside of work, Chuck enjoyed memberships with the Moose Lodge, Elks, Eagles and Masons. He had a big heart and was the kindest person you could ever meet. When he wasn’t at work, he was at somebody’s house helping them whether it was a neighbor or one of his kids. After retirement he and Shirley enjoyed travelling in their camper to destinations such as Desert Hot Springs, Washington, D.C., and Florida.

Chuck will be missed by his wife of 68 years, Shirley; daughter, Shirley Bauman; son, Michael Burns; daughter, Janet Burns; grandson, Kendall Bauman; and great-granddaughters, Ashley, Hannah, and Emily Bauman. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Smith.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland.