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/.