Thomas Burns

Mr. Thomas R. Burns, Age: 68, died at his residence on February 24, 2002, from Amyothophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease.Tom was born on May 25, 1933 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Felix P. Burns and Ruth(Brazeau)Burns. He graduated from high school in Eau Claire.Tom joined the United States Army, serving honorably from 1950 to 1953. He achieved the rank of Sergeant. Tom was decorated with a Purple Heart during the Korean Conflict.Following his tour of service in the military, Tom attended the University of Wisconsin, and then attended the University of Washington in Seattle. He received his college degree. He married Barbara J.(Geil)Burns on May 19, 1984 in Tampa, Florida.Tom worked in Naval Telecommunications at Subase Bangor, Washington and also in Japan. He served as a Reserve Deputy with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office for numerous years. He later became a computer software engineer with Andrulis Computers, Inc., and Bobcat Computers Inc..Tom was a member of the American Legion in Port Orchard, the D.A.V.(Disabled American Veterans) in Bremerton, Washington, the V.F.W.(Veteran's of Foreign Wars) in Port Orchard, the Eagles Arie of Port Orchard, and was a member of the Roman Catholic faith. He greatly enjoyed fishing and boating.Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara, of the family home; his mother, Edith Burns of Duluth, Minnesota; sons, Christopher of Spokane, Washington and Barry of Bellingham, Washington; daughters Becky Quetschke of Albany, Oregon and Merry Stever of Port Orchard; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Chuck and William Burns.A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, March 1, 2002 at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church, 1150 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard.Father Jerry McCloskey will be officiating. A reception will follow at Rill Chapel. Interment is scheduled at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on March 1, 2002.The family has requested that any memorial donations be directed to the Kitsap County Reserve Deputy Sheriff's Association, 614 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA, 98366.Washington arrangements are under direction of Rill Chapel, Pendleton-Gilchrist Funeral Home in Port Orchard. Wisconsin arrangements are under direction of Golden Funeral Home in Eau Claire.