JT Burns, 95 passed away on February 23. 2021 at the Texas State Veterans Home in Big Spring, Texas.
JT was born on March 30, 1925 in Jones County, Texas to the late Houston A. and Ossie Burns. He grew up during the depression, and often told stories of moving around to several different places and attending as many as three schools per year while his dad worked several jobs doing whatever he could to support the family. JT therefore learned to dislike the term "the good ol' days", because he would reflect that nothing much was good about living thru the depression and World War II.
JT was a WWII Veteran. In 1943, he was drafted into the US Army. He served in the Pacific with the 27th New York Division. He fought on Saipan and Okinawa where he earned two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. He was promoted to platoon sergeant after only eleven men remained upon taking over a hill on Okinawa. When peace was declared, he trained NATO troops in Japan until he was discharged after being overseas for thirty-six months. A few years after returning home from the war, JT gained employment at Sears Roebuck and Company. He retired from Sears after thirty-five years of employment.
JT is preceded in death by his parents, H.A. and Ossie Burns, his wife of 50 years of marriage, Jesse Louvenia Burns, his sister Dorothy Gates, and his son Jacky T. Burns.
Survivors include his son Jerry Burns and his wife Debbie of Odessa, niece Linda Linebaugh of Abilene, 5 grandchildren and several great nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
Visitation will be in the chapel at Elmwood Memorial on March 1, 2021 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.
Services will be March 2, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Elmwood Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.