Eugene A. "Gene" Burns

Eugene A. "Gene" Burns, 81, of Salina, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2021. He was born July 30, 1939, in Chicago, IL, to J. Robert "Bob" and Evelyn (Buckley) Burns. As an infant, the family moved to Morris County, KS.  He graduated in the last class of Diamond Valley High School, Burdick, KS.  

Gene served two years in the US Army and four years in the Reserves.  He married Janice Hartman on October 9, 1966. His career spanned 35 years for the USDA Soil Conservation Service.

Gene coached youth sports in Salina during the 1970s and '80s, including serving Babe Ruth Baseball.  Additionally, he served as President of the Kansas Parents Association of Hearing-Impaired Children.

He is survived by his wife, Janice (Jan), of the home; sons, John (Linda Oldham) Burns, of Topeka and Curtis Burns, of Salina; grandsons Hunter Burns and Tyler J. Burns; sisters, Mary Lou Thompson (Jon), Azle, TX, Coleen Anderes (Lyle), of Salina, Linda Cox, of Hesston, Dorothy Goodwin (Steve), of Salina.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Georgia Connor.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, at Ryan Mortuary, family present from 5-7 p.m. Graveside service at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at New Basel Cemetery, rural Abilene, KS.

Memorials may be made to Dignity Cares Fund in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 North Eighth Street, Salina, Kansas 67401. Memorial funds will provide aid to current and future residents of Dignity Care Home.

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