Lonnie Joe Burns

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” -Louis L'Amour

Lonnie Joe Burns of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away from this life on May 20, 2022, at the age of 84. Lonnie was born in Long Beach, California, to Forrest Emmitt Burns and Agnes Lorinda Canville Burns on June 22, 1937. He spent 3 years and 11 months in the United States Army. After leaving the military with an honorable discharge, he went to work for Western Electric Company in Oklahoma City, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service.

Lonnie lived in Texas for over 25 years. From Canada to Mexico, he loved traveling all over the world. He enjoyed frequent fishing trips, trapping and getting rid of bothersome squirrels, and reading Western novels, especially books written by his favorite author, Louis L'Amour. Lonnie was a kind, loving man, and he will be deeply missed.

“When I die, remember that what you knew of me is with you always. What is buried is only the shell of what was. Do not regret the shell, but remember the man. Remember the father.” -Louis L'Amour

He is preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Valeria “Peggy” L. Burns; a son, Kenny Burns; his treasured second wife, Norma J. Burns; two brothers, Robert Louis Burns, and Forrest Emmitt Burns Jr.; his father, Forrest E. Burns, his mother, Agnes L. Canville Burns, and his stepmother, Mabel Burns.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his son, Lonnie J. Burns Jr. and daughter-in-law Stella of Oklahoma City; a granddaughter, Jessica Jamie Burns and spouse Becky Johnson, and a step-grandson, George Edward Perry III, all of Oklahoma City; two great-granddaughters, Maevyn A. Burns, and Tulli Josephine Burns of Oklahoma City; along with his siblings, two brothers, William David Burns and wife Johnetta of Richmond, Virginia, and John Burns and wife Virginia of Oklahoma City, and sister Eva Thompson of Ardmore, Alabama.

I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.

Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.

We will miss each other for awhile,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.

To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin’.

-Delmar Pepper

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