Dr. Robert Lee Burns

Dr. Robert Lee (Bob) Burns, 80, of Magnolia, Arkansas passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
He was born March 20, 1944, in Julia Chester Hospital in Hope, Arkansas to the late Roy and Ola Quillin Burns. His childhood memories of growing up on the family farm in Patmos, Arkansas, were treasures shared with family members and friends throughout his life.
In 1962 he graduated from Hope High School, where he proudly wore number 77 on the basketball court and ran track. He received his bachelor's degree from Henderson State University and his master's and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Arkansas. He also earned graduate degrees from the School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and the ABA School of Commercial Lending, Compliance, and Investments.
Burns was a retired colonel in the U. S. Army. He served with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, flying medevac helicopters to transport injured soldiers out of harm's way and coordinate efficient patient flow to area hospitals. His awards included the Bronze Star, Presidential Citation, Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Vietnam Medal for Civic Action.
After returning from Vietnam, he served as commanding officer of Reynolds Army Hospital in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and then as operations officer for the task force of new refugee arrivals at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas. His last military assignment was with the HQ U.S. Central Command as a staff officer for Psychological Operations.
Bob met his bride of fifty-one years, Molly Harsh, when his roommate, Arkansas State Trooper J.R. Howard gave her a speeding ticket and suggested that the two Ft. Smith history teachers might like to meet. His appreciation for the work of the Arkansas State Police, and for the introduction to his wife, continued throughout his life.
Following three years as superintendent of schools in Mineral Springs, Arkansas, in 1980 Bob joined Farmers Bank and Trust in Magnolia as their 17th employee. He became CEO and President in 1983, leading the bank for the next 40 years. Guided by his vision, the bank grew from assets of $30 million to the current $2.8 billion, with over 420 employees, 34 branches in 3 states, and 5 trust offices. His unwavering resolution to create a philanthropic culture in the communities served continues today.
As a lifelong believer in the value of education, law enforcement, and ethics in business, Burns devoted time and energy to organizations working for these interests, including the following: Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees (Chairman); Arkansas State Board of Higher Education (Chairman); Accelerate Arkansas; Economic Arkansas (Chairman); Arkansas State Police Commission (Chairman); Arkansas State Police Foundation (founding member, chairman); Arkansas State Police Retirement System Board of Trustees; Arkansas Yellow Ribbon Task Force; Arkansas Bankers Association Board of Directors (Chairman); Magnolia Rotary Club; Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce (President); Southwest Arkansas Water District (Treasurer).
Burns served on the U.S. Secret Service Task Force on Cyber Security to redraft wire transfer protocols for banks across the U.S. After graduating from the FBI Citizens Academy, Burns served as Director of the FBI Little Rock Citizens Academy Alumni Association and worked to further their community outreach.
Burns was named the Risk Management Association 2015 Banker of the Year. In 2021 Burns received the Trooper Ermon Cox Award, given to an individual who supports the mission of the Arkansas State Police Foundation and exemplifies high moral standards. He is a member of the Arkansas State Police Hall of Fame. In 2022 he received the Magnolia-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.
Burns was preceded in death by his parents and by his in-laws, John and Mary Warnock Harsh. He is survived by his wife, Molly; son Robert Burns of Hope; daughters Elizabeth Burns Anderson (Jamie) of Scott and Rebecca Burns Gosnell (Chris) of Magnolia; and his source of greatest joy: grandsons Slater, Warner, Grayson, and Hayes. He is also survived by his lifelong best friend J.R. Howard of Searcy, extended family, and a host of friends.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the kindness and dedication of Dr. John Alexander and the caregivers during the past four years.
Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, June 21st at Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia, AR. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22rd at First United Methodist Church Magnolia, AR with graveside services with Military Honors following at Magnolia City Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Arkansas State Troopers: Captain Brady Gore, Captain Brad Lann, Lieutenant Seth Pinner, Lieutenant Aaron Easley, Special Agent Adam Pinner, Corporal Kyle Peek, Trooper First Class Trevor Dew, and Trooper Akari Alexander.
Honorary pallbearers will be his son, Robert Burns, sons-in-law Jamie Anderson and Chris Gosnell, and his four grandsons Slater Anderson, Warnock Anderson, Grayson Gosnell, and Hayes Gosnell; J. R. Howard; John Alexander; Paul Bismark, Wayne Cox; Johnny Jordan; Randy Lann; Jerry Pinson; and the Executive Directors and Officers of Farmers Bank & Trust.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to either the Arkansas State Police Foundation; 5702 Dreher Lane, Suite 3; Little Rock, Arkansas 72209; or Magnolia Regional Medical Center Foundation; P.O. Box 2161; Magnolia, Arkansas 71754-2161.