He was born September 19, 1924 to parents Alexander and Gertrude Burns in Lynden, Washington. James graduated from Lynden High School in 1942, then attended Washington State University from 1942 to 1943 where he was a member of the R.O.T.C.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 – 1946 and was stationed in Europe and Asia.
He went back and received his Masters from Western Washington State University with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts. James spent three years as a teacher in Langley Washington School District, then went on to teach at his alma mater, Lynden High School, where he retired in 1985. His first wife Thela passed that same year.
James married Wanda Lopatynsky on July 26, 1986 in Bellingham, WA. They attended Word of Life Church in Lynden.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of 30 years; son, Kenneth (Connie) Burns; stepdaughters: Deborah (Roly) Tremblay and Jeannie Lopatynsky Garver; sisters-in-law: Jeanne and Chris; grandchildren: Jason (Sarah) Burns, Christina (Bob) Dupas, Lynette Steves and Angela (Blaine) Letendre; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
James is preceded in death by stepson, Robert Baschak, in 2000 and brothers, Robert Burns and David Burns.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 2 pm, Monday, September 12, 2016 at Lynden Cemetery, with Pastor Jeremy Pickens from Good Shepherd Community Church officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
He was born September 19, 1924 to parents Alexander and Gertrude Burns in Lynden, Washington. James graduated from Lynden High School in 1942, then attended Washington State University from 1942 to 1943 where he was a member of the R.O.T.C.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 – 1946 and was stationed in Europe and Asia.
He went back and received his Masters from Western Washington State University with a teaching degree in Industrial Arts. James spent three years as a teacher in Langley Washington School District, then went on to teach at his alma mater, Lynden High School, where he retired in 1985. His first wife Thela passed that same year.
James married Wanda Lopatynsky on July 26, 1986 in Bellingham, WA. They attended Word of Life Church in Lynden.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of 30 years; son, Kenneth (Connie) Burns; stepdaughters: Deborah (Roly) Tremblay and Jeannie Lopatynsky Garver; sisters-in-law: Jeanne and Chris; grandchildren: Jason (Sarah) Burns, Christina (Bob) Dupas, Lynette Steves and Angela (Blaine) Letendre; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
James is preceded in death by stepson, Robert Baschak, in 2000 and brothers, Robert Burns and David Burns.
A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 2 pm, Monday, September 12, 2016 at Lynden Cemetery, with Pastor Jeremy Pickens from Good Shepherd Community Church officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
Bio by: Barb
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