John Edwards Burns

John Edward Burns, born 7/10/1923, passed away peacefully in his home on 6/17/2016 at 4:05 p.m. surrounded by loving family.

John grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and graduated from West High in 1941. From 1942 to 1947, during World War II, he joint the US Navy as an electrician on submarines and on mine sweepers in the Pacific traveling through Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. He participated in nearly a dozen battles and island invasions including invasions of the Philippines and Okinawa. He also served from 1950 to 1952 in the Korean War. From 1952 to 1979 he worked at Hill Air Force Base as an inspector in Technical Services, an aircraft equipment specialist and worked with the Atlas, Titan, and Minuteman missile programs. From 1952 to 1957 he was a part-time airplane pilot for Civil Air Patrol. He became a police reservist in North Salt Lake from 1959 to 1967 and then joined the North Salt Lake Fire Department where he served for more than 22 years.

In 1979 he worked in security for the Salt Lake City International airport until 1984. He then went to work for Airport Authority as a Police Officer. At the age of 61 he had to take the Peace Officers Training Course, POST, and received a certificate for being the oldest person to ever graduate from POST. John was also given an award for being a Superior Employee. It was the first time the airport Authority had given anyone such an honor.

John is survived by his wife Fay Pahl Burns; his children Pauline (Jay) Newman, Johnny Burns, Debbie (Randy) Peterson, Linda Burns, Edward (Natalie) Burns, and Marty (Heather) Burns; his 12 grandchildren (and one on the way), and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Edward Adam & Gertrude Burns; and his siblings George (Marie), Larry (Louis), and Leroy Burns and Florence (Clarence) Coleman.

We will be ever grateful for the care he received from the wonderful ladies at Independence Hospice.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 23rd at 11:00 AM at Utah Veteran's Memorial Park Chapel, 17111 S. Camp Williams Rd. (1700 West), Bluffdale, with a graveside service to follow.