Obituaries
January 04, 2024
Jerry Wallace Burns
Jerry Wallace Burns, 82, of Mesquite, TX passed away peacefully on January 4, 2024, surrounded
by his loving family. Jerry was born July 11, 1941 in Florence, AL to a Church of Christ minister,
Charles Clark (C.C.) Burns and his wife, Lena Cooke Burns. Jerry’s parents preceded him in death,
along with brother, Charles Cooke Burns and his wife of 51 years, Gloria Kelley Burns.
Jerry met Gloria at Abilene Christian University in 1964 and they were later married on July 19,
1965 in Hondo, TX. They spent time living in Flint, MI but ultimately made their home in
Florence, AL where their two children, Brian Kelley Burns and Julie Burns Droesch, were born.
Jerry was a minister and partner with his brother, Charles Burns, in manufacturing Burns-Craft
Yachts. The latter part of his career, Jerry worked in the fly fishing department at Bass Pro Shop
in Grapevine, TX where he met many friends and discipled anyone who was willing to listen. He
had many hobbies and passions and fly fishing was one of them. He was also an accomplished
writer, painter, craftsman and outdoorsman, but more importantly he was a loving husband,
father and grandfather and devout Christian. He and Gloria were long time members of
Prestoncrest Church of Christ and then attended Preston Road Church of Christ in their later
years.
Jerry is survived by his son Brian and his wife Aimee, and their children Ethan (23) and Aidan
(20). Jerry is also survived by his daughter Julie and her husband Patrick Droesch and their twins
Carson (19) and Kendall (19), as well as his sister-in-law Jill Kelley and nieces and nephews Lisa
Kelley Van Doren, Randy Burns, Sandy Burns Gamble and John Burns. Arrangements are being
made by Eastgate Funeral Home in Garland, TX and a memorial service is being held Saturday,
January 13 at 11:00AM at Preston Road Church of Christ in Dallas, TX.
The family is deeply thankful and appreciative of the tremendous care provided by the staff and
administration at the Christian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation center where Jerry was a
resident for several years. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jerry’s name to
Christian Care Communities & Services in Mesquite, TX at
https://www.christiancaretexas.org/cccs-mesquite/.
Condolences
Bryce Parker January 09, 2024
Friend Meridian , Idaho
Best wishes to the family from Idaho! It has been a lot of years, but I worked with Gloria in the mid-late 90's and her and Jerry were such gracious people who helped a new Aggie grad feel at home in Dallas. Jerry and I corresponded a bit by email over the years since Gloria's passing, but we lost touch and I regret not getting one of his fine trout paintings locked down. It is awesome to think about Jerry's reunion with Gloria and meeting the Father and Son in heaven. God Bless!
Lisa Donaldson January 10, 2024
Friend Mesquite , Texas
I will truly miss Jerry, my friend of eight and a half years at Christian Care. Jerry listened well, believed in God and shared his beliefs with anyone who would listen. He had a beautiful soul! I loved having conversations with Jerry, he was so intelligent and loved life freely. I would hand him handfuls of peppermints and he would share them with everyone else, he was not selfish in life, he looked out for others. He was always asking how I am doing.! He was so talented in writing, painting and so many other things. He had deep thoughts and memories that he shared with his friends here at CCC&S. I will truly miss you Jerry, but you are reunited with your wife and in the arms of our God now. Peace be with you and your family, whom I will be praying for. Lisa Donaldson
Sue Walker January 20, 2024
Friend Richardson , Texas
I was a Kojie at ACC/now ACU, with your mom, Gloria. I really didn’t know Jerry very well back then.. Gloria & I reconnected a few years after I moved to Richardson about 2005. .I knew she had health issues but she never dwelt on them and we reminisced about ACC and Kojies. I was in Italy when she passed away, and sent Jerry a note that I would be in Assisi & would light candles at the Basilica of St Francis out of respect for her on the day of her service.. He seemed pleased about that. Later I helped him organize a bit when he moved to the apt & again to CCC.. He always asked me to bring him 2 Egg McMuffins when I would visit. I knew from our talks that he missed Gloria so very much.. I have several of the books he wrote. In his writings you could often tell how lonely he was for her.. I hope you find comfort in knowing he is at peace finally & reunited with his dear Gloria..& they are safe in Jesus’ arms.. My condolences..to all his family..