Ellis "Leon" Burns Jr.

Ellis "Leon" Burns, Jr.

March 25, 1918

December 21, 2013

Ellis Leon Burns, Jr, 95, lifetime resident of Shreveport peacefully entered into the kingdom of God while surrounded by his loved ones. Leon was born March 25, 1918 to the union of Mary Barlow Denham Burns and Ellis Leon Burns, Sr.

He was a 1934 graduate of Fair Park High School. He was a member of the first graduating class. He served his country in WWII receiving decorations for

his service in Italy.

After leaving the military, Mr. Burns achieved his Bachelor's degree and his Masters of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago.

After college Leon worked for a number of area businesses before starting his own company. In 1954, he started E.L. Burns Walkway & Co. He designed and constructed walkway covers from extruded aluminum. He carried on business in over 40 states. He sold his business in 1972; which still bears his name today.

In 1975, he purchased and managed the Shreveport Indoor Tennis Club. He managed the club and played tennis until 1998, at which time he sold the club.

Leon was a deacon, Sunday School Secretary and chairman of the building committee at Queensboro Baptist Church, which later became Willow Point Baptist Church.

He was an active member of Broadmoor Baptist Church.

Leon married his first wife, Martha Louise Baugh Burns who preceded him in death. Also preceded in death by his son, Bruce Thomas Burns, parents, Mary Barlow Denham Burns and Ellis Leon Burns Sr., brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd Donald Burns and Katherine Griffith Burns, brother, John Nathan Burns, and sister, Alice Elizabeth Burns McAdams.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Edith Robinson Burns, Diana Bennett, brother William Bryan Burns and wife Tommie of Shreveport, David Burns of Arizona, sisters, Margaret Burns Harlan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ruth Burns Oates of San Francisco, California, Helen Burns Griffin of Clarksville, Tennessee, Louise Burns Murphy of Arcadia, Louisiana, Dorothy Burns Young and husband Ray Young of Wisner, Louisiana, sister-in-law Hilda Burns of Katy, Texas, brother-in-law, Jimmy McAdams of Laguna Niguel, California. He is also survived by son, Jimmy Robinson of Shreveport, Louisiana daughter, Kathy Robinson Kephart of Shreveport, Louisiana, son, Mark Robinson and wife, Paula of Shelbyville, Texas and eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and host of nieces and nephews.

Leon was a loving and devoted husband. He lived a blessed life and will be missed by all who came to know him.

Memorial services will be held on January 3, 2014 at the Broadmoor Baptist church. A luncheon will be served at 12:00 pm with services to follow.