Theodore Burns' Obituary
Theodore (Ted) Aloysious Burns Jr. was called to heaven Thursday, June 16, 2022, at the age of 88. His spirit is carried on by his three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
He was born in 1934, oldest of three children, to Lill and Ted Burns, Sr, in Silver Spring, MD. He attended St. John’s High School and the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor’s degree through the Air Force ROTC. Upon graduating and being commissioned into the Air Force as a First Lieutenant, he married Kay Keeler (deceased). Ted was a patient, loving and devoted husband. He spent twenty-two years in the Air Force, raising three children as his assignments took his family across the US. Ted retired from McChord Air Base and began a new career in Boulder, CO, running a business, installing and repairing two way radios. Colorado was where he became “Papa'' to his first of nine grandchildren. Ted and Kay returned to Lakewood in 1985 to be closer to family and what would become thirteen great grandchildren.
After retiring from his second career, he was able to pursue his many hobbies. His lifelong interest in amateur radios helped him choose the family house location: a high elevation that would allow a tall antenna to maximize the number of contacts was high on his list. He also loved hiking and exploring any mountain nearby, taking his children on many adventurous backpack trips. Bird watching became a passion, taking him to many nature preserves around the country, as well as Mexico and Costa Rica. This interest pulled Ted and Kay to Tucson, AZ during the winter months for a drier and warmer climate. Other hobbies included cross country skiing, sailing, biking, photography, learning spanish and spending time with his family.
Ted was a rare man, with the ability to listen with intensity, love with patience, extend kindness beyond expectations and fill a room with joy through his smile.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ted Sr., mother, Lill and his two sisters, Betty Burns and Pat Beane (Frank). He is survived by his three children, Mary Muri (Dick), Kathy Gwinn (Marty) and Mike (Debbie), niece, Karen Beane Egan (Matt), along with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
His funeral service will be held at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, July 25th at 1:30 pm. A celebration of his life will follow at the home of Mary and Dick Muri.
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