Robert Lee Burns
May 09, 1915 to September 05, 2001
May 09, 1915 to September 05, 2001
Felma Lozano Burns
July 12, 1918 to January 03, 2001
July 12, 1918 to January 03, 2001
| "A Walk With Angels" |
In Loving Memory Of
The Angels That Led
My Way
Joe Burns
Joe@JoeBurns.net
The Angels That Led
My Way
Joe Burns
Joe@JoeBurns.net
| Eulogies Below |
Felma Lozano Burns
July 12, 1918 to January 03, 2001
On Friday, July 12, 1918, from a descendant of Spain, Andrew Lozano and a young
humble Indian girl, Vicenta Manchaca, an Angel was born whose spirit still permeiates
not only our lives, but these very walls of this church which she was a member.
Born under a wagon in this very community, Felicita Lozano became not only a
beautiful daughter, a loving devoted wife, but also the most loving and cherished
mother I could have been blessed with.
In the young years of her life, walking these very roads to school, writing her name in
the bluff banks of this very road down to the bridge at Moral Creek, Felicita became
known by the ones that loved her and her friends as Felma.
She ventured farther and farther from these humble surroundings, graduated high in
her class at Douglas High School in or around 1937. She had fond memories of a small
community just outside of Douglas. This community, for whatever reason, made a
lasting impression on her. My entire life she said she had graduated Seedtick
University in 1937.
A short time after this she met a young man from Huntington, Texas, at a street
dance on Halloween night in Lufkin. This young gentleman, a mason, a fiddle and
guitar player, would forever change her life. On August 9, 1941, she married the
only man she ever loved, Robert Lee Burns and became Felma Burns.
The war could not keep them apart. She followed my dad to Catalina Island and stood
beside him in loving support while he served in The United States Merchant Marines.
Her dedication, love and support solidified their union during these troubled times.
After the war she carried what she thought was the most cherished and blessed
miracle a mother could pray for, twins; a boy and a girl for nine months she felt living
inside her. This miracle, this blessing would be the first in many lessions of one's faith
and endurance in this life, she had to endure. No sooner than they were born an Angel
took them away to serve The Lord that my mother loved so much. She did not even
get to see these precious babies. This, for many people, would not only destroy their
life but end a faith in The Lord that she served.
Her prayers not slowed, her faith not vanquished, for on the 14th day of November,
1951, a precious baby was born who would become a loving spirit filled son, the most
precious brother I could have wished for, a quiet gentle Masonic Brother and the best
doctor Humble, Texas will ever know, Robert James Burns. Felma Burns wrapped
her whole world around this baby. With this confirmation of her faith, she prayed that
this miracle of life be repeated. One year and eight days later, on November 22,
1952, that miracle of life was repeated. From that day forward she centered her life
around raising my brother and myself to be the best we could be in whatever we did.
In 1955, an auto accident, that broke over 20 bones in her body, gave her a whiplash
neck and created in her the many pains she suffered, over 45 years. This test of
endurance purified her faith in God and created in her a quality I have seen in very
few. Through the many years, dealing with her pain, she still supported her two sons
in baseball, football and every activity that growing boys belong.
From 1966 to 1971 she walked, with pain and all, two miles to virtually every baseball
game my brother and I played at MacArthur High School. No matter how many
people were in the crowd, I could tell my mother was there with that patented,
"Whooopeee!"
Felma Burns was a survivor. Without her strength, prayers, faith and endurance I,
nor my brother, would be here to honor her in this humble and respectful manor.
During the last five years of my mothers life, she became totally dependent on my
brother and myself. Her independence was changed to dependence and her strength
became weakness.
She reveled in the company of her sons, her husband and grandchildren. For the last
two years of her life, she hopefully anticipated the joyfull possibility of holding a
newborne baby, of my blood, in her arms. In January 2000, that hope was
extinguished when the last specialist said this could not happen, due to an injury
earlier in my life. She said, as many times in my life, "Joe, you got to believe in
miracles!" I know she prayed for this miracle. For the last nine months she has held
on to life tighter than at any time or times she has been sick. She has said to me and
to others here, "I am tired and ready to die, but if it's God's will I want to see this
miracle to hold and bless." On the 21st of December, 2000, a stroke caused, what
looked like, the end of this possibility. On that day, after giving me the instructions
you see here today, she made a request of me. She did not want me to call anyone
else, she wanted to go peacefully. Her request was that I call her sister, Mackey,
which I did. She said, "No one that Mackey has ever prayed for, has died." I did, that
day, what she asked. There must have been an Angel there because on the 27th of
December, 2000 she got to hold, love and bless John Joseph Burns, Jr., the miracle
she prayed so hard for.
Her lucky number was always "7." Felma Burns, the loving wife to Robert Lee Burns
and cherished mother of myself and my brother Robert, the enduring spirit of my
brothers children, Robert and Krystal.
With my special son John Andrew Burns and the last gift she hoped for this Christmas
season, the one she called, Baby Joe, total the "7" gifts given to her by the God she
loved and trusted so. She lived just "7" days from the baby's birth on that 27th day
of December, and then Felma Lozano Burns Rested...
May the Love, Joy, Grace and Spirit of The Lord Jesus Christ bless all of us the
special way my mother has blessed me. Amen
With all my love,
Joe Burns
January 06, 2001
July 12, 1918 to January 03, 2001
On Friday, July 12, 1918, from a descendant of Spain, Andrew Lozano and a young
humble Indian girl, Vicenta Manchaca, an Angel was born whose spirit still permeiates
not only our lives, but these very walls of this church which she was a member.
Born under a wagon in this very community, Felicita Lozano became not only a
beautiful daughter, a loving devoted wife, but also the most loving and cherished
mother I could have been blessed with.
In the young years of her life, walking these very roads to school, writing her name in
the bluff banks of this very road down to the bridge at Moral Creek, Felicita became
known by the ones that loved her and her friends as Felma.
She ventured farther and farther from these humble surroundings, graduated high in
her class at Douglas High School in or around 1937. She had fond memories of a small
community just outside of Douglas. This community, for whatever reason, made a
lasting impression on her. My entire life she said she had graduated Seedtick
University in 1937.
A short time after this she met a young man from Huntington, Texas, at a street
dance on Halloween night in Lufkin. This young gentleman, a mason, a fiddle and
guitar player, would forever change her life. On August 9, 1941, she married the
only man she ever loved, Robert Lee Burns and became Felma Burns.
The war could not keep them apart. She followed my dad to Catalina Island and stood
beside him in loving support while he served in The United States Merchant Marines.
Her dedication, love and support solidified their union during these troubled times.
After the war she carried what she thought was the most cherished and blessed
miracle a mother could pray for, twins; a boy and a girl for nine months she felt living
inside her. This miracle, this blessing would be the first in many lessions of one's faith
and endurance in this life, she had to endure. No sooner than they were born an Angel
took them away to serve The Lord that my mother loved so much. She did not even
get to see these precious babies. This, for many people, would not only destroy their
life but end a faith in The Lord that she served.
Her prayers not slowed, her faith not vanquished, for on the 14th day of November,
1951, a precious baby was born who would become a loving spirit filled son, the most
precious brother I could have wished for, a quiet gentle Masonic Brother and the best
doctor Humble, Texas will ever know, Robert James Burns. Felma Burns wrapped
her whole world around this baby. With this confirmation of her faith, she prayed that
this miracle of life be repeated. One year and eight days later, on November 22,
1952, that miracle of life was repeated. From that day forward she centered her life
around raising my brother and myself to be the best we could be in whatever we did.
In 1955, an auto accident, that broke over 20 bones in her body, gave her a whiplash
neck and created in her the many pains she suffered, over 45 years. This test of
endurance purified her faith in God and created in her a quality I have seen in very
few. Through the many years, dealing with her pain, she still supported her two sons
in baseball, football and every activity that growing boys belong.
From 1966 to 1971 she walked, with pain and all, two miles to virtually every baseball
game my brother and I played at MacArthur High School. No matter how many
people were in the crowd, I could tell my mother was there with that patented,
"Whooopeee!"
Felma Burns was a survivor. Without her strength, prayers, faith and endurance I,
nor my brother, would be here to honor her in this humble and respectful manor.
During the last five years of my mothers life, she became totally dependent on my
brother and myself. Her independence was changed to dependence and her strength
became weakness.
She reveled in the company of her sons, her husband and grandchildren. For the last
two years of her life, she hopefully anticipated the joyfull possibility of holding a
newborne baby, of my blood, in her arms. In January 2000, that hope was
extinguished when the last specialist said this could not happen, due to an injury
earlier in my life. She said, as many times in my life, "Joe, you got to believe in
miracles!" I know she prayed for this miracle. For the last nine months she has held
on to life tighter than at any time or times she has been sick. She has said to me and
to others here, "I am tired and ready to die, but if it's God's will I want to see this
miracle to hold and bless." On the 21st of December, 2000, a stroke caused, what
looked like, the end of this possibility. On that day, after giving me the instructions
you see here today, she made a request of me. She did not want me to call anyone
else, she wanted to go peacefully. Her request was that I call her sister, Mackey,
which I did. She said, "No one that Mackey has ever prayed for, has died." I did, that
day, what she asked. There must have been an Angel there because on the 27th of
December, 2000 she got to hold, love and bless John Joseph Burns, Jr., the miracle
she prayed so hard for.
Her lucky number was always "7." Felma Burns, the loving wife to Robert Lee Burns
and cherished mother of myself and my brother Robert, the enduring spirit of my
brothers children, Robert and Krystal.
With my special son John Andrew Burns and the last gift she hoped for this Christmas
season, the one she called, Baby Joe, total the "7" gifts given to her by the God she
loved and trusted so. She lived just "7" days from the baby's birth on that 27th day
of December, and then Felma Lozano Burns Rested...
May the Love, Joy, Grace and Spirit of The Lord Jesus Christ bless all of us the
special way my mother has blessed me. Amen
With all my love,
Joe Burns
January 06, 2001
Robert Lee Burns
May 09, 1915 to September 05, 2001
On May 09, 1915, a quiet Sunday morning, into this world a handsome blue eyed baby
boy blessed the home of James Monroe Burns and Ellie Jones Burns of Huntington,
Texas. This precious child, Robert Lee Burns, was not only a blessing to this family
but also a life long companion to his one true love Felma Burns and spirit filled father to
his sons Jim and Joe, that he cherished so much.
In order to understand who my father was, one must look into the family that nurtured
him and taught him the valued truths he followed and cherished throughout his life.
His young life to the age of nine was filled with the love and attention of his devoted
mother, Ellie. She was, during this time, the major influence on his life. Her untimely
death when he was nine made an impact on him one could see many years after her death.
Growing up in the 1920's one can visualize him walking through the east Texas woods
with a 22 rifle in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. These formative years in his
young life gave him a profound respect for nature and the beauty of God's creation. He
has on many occasions blessed us with stories of his ventures. I think it was during
these times that he realized the farther to a fishing hole the larger the fish would become
on his way home. Although he would not lie, he would however make it clear he would
tell you the truth three or four ways before he would lie to you.
His education was important, since his father was a teacher. He excelled in his studies
and ventured farther and farther from the small town atmosphere of Huntington, Texas.
He graduated at Lufkin High school where he lettered each year in football.
It was during his mid 20's his father, whom he respected and trusted so, introduced him
to a certain body of principles and rules of morals, duties and conduct, taught in The
Masonic Fraternity. Robert Lee Burns' grandfather Cisero Benjamin Burns as well as
father, James Monroe Burns were both Past Masters of the Homer Masonic Lodge
number 254 in Huntington, Texas. Robert Lee Burns served as a mason for over 61 years
in that lodge in Huntington.
It was at a Holloween dance in Lufkin, Texas during this part of his life he met the only
woman he ever loved, Felma Burns. This bond lasted both of their lives, over 60 years.
Not even a war could separate these two. Both of them went to Catalina Island, together
when dad entered the United States Merchant Marines. This time in his life matured him
to the realities of life. War could have changed him, but it was his faith and the help and
support Felma gave that got him through.
It was during the war he learned a trade that supported our family for over 45 years. The
work of welding and burning became an art with him. He was in fact one of the best at
what he did. Even during hard times in the economy he always had a job. One of his
old time work buddies commented, "Robert Burns can cut threads on a re-enforcing rod
and screw a nut on it." There never was anyone in the IronWorkers Union Local #84 in
Houston that did not love and respect him during the more than 45 years he help build
virtually every building that was built in downtown Houston in this time. He said many
times in a comical gesture, "I believe Houston would crumble if I had all my welds
back." He was one of a kind.
Nothing was more important to him than his family. I believe it was the loss of their first
born twins in the late 40's that made mom and dad so protective of Jim and I. I
remember the stories dad would tell about mom tying Jim and I to the bottom of the boat
to keep us from falling out. One story was the most comical to me. While fishing at the
Neches river, they put Jim and I in this make shift pen with chicken wire so we could not
wander off while they fished. Mom would constantly check on us and during one such
investigation she screamed that I was missing. Dad came running and both of them
began a search. As it turned out I had crawled into a armadillo hole inside the pen.
Daddy was so mad when he pulled me out of the hole. One of the most precious traits of
Robert Burns was his sense of humor. I am sure most of us have been on the wrong end
of his teasing. He loved to smile and nothing made him happier than to make someone
laugh.
It was during the hardships that I witnessed the character of my father. There was no time
he did not put his God first and no time did his faith falter. He held my mother together
for the many years of her pains caused by the accident in 1955. He was the rock that
kept our family solid. He put Jim and I through school and stood by us in good as well as
bad times. He sacrificed himself for the betterment of his family. He toiled and labored
in the hot sun for 45 years to see his sons had what he thought was a better life. He
refused to allow Jim or I to consider anything but a college education and a craft that
would allow for a better life than he could give. He worried so much whether he was
able to provide what it would take to accomplish this.
It was so hard for him when he noticed his memory was failing. He shed many tears
when he shared his thoughts about whether he was a good father and husband. He spent
so many years thinking about others and not himself. To me, there is no character more
godly than one that sacrifices himself for his family and others. Before his memory failed
he did realize that he was a success and his sons would be there for him and would not
let him down. Even though the last years were a struggle for him he was happy and
always had that special Bob Burns smile.
I honor my father today as I honored my mother when she passed. I consider myself
blessed for the time I have had with both my mother and father. All who knew my dad
were blessed in a special way. Robert Lee Burns had a special God given blessing that
could not be ignored, but treasured; a talent to make people smile and a smile that
warmed ones heart.
My dad knew the lesson King Solomon wrote about when he said:
"Remember your Creator while you are still young,
before those dismal days and years come when you
will say, '"I don't enjoy life."' That is when the
light of the sun, the moon and the stars will grow
dim for you, and the rain clouds will never pass
away. Then your arms, that have protected you,
will tremble, and your legs, now strong, will grow weak.
Your teeth will be too few to chew your food, and
your eyes too dim to see clearly. Your ears will
be deaf to the noise of the street. You will barely
be able to hear the mill as it grinds or the music as it
plays, but even the song of a bird will wake you from
sleep. You will be afraid of high places, and walking will
be dangerous. Your hair will turn white; you will
hardly be able to drag yourself along, and all desire
will be gone."
"We are going to our final resting place, and then
there will be mourning in the streets. The silver
chain will snap, and the golden lamp will fall and
break; the rope at the well will break, and the water
jar will be shattered. Our bodies will return to
the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will
go back to God, who gave it to us."
"After all this, there is only one thing to say:
Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because
this is all that man was created for."
May The Lord Jesus Christ Bless us all as we have been blessed by Robert and Felma
Burns. I pray that their souls rest in peace and that they today be with our Lord in
paradise... Amen
With all my love, Joe Burns
September 8, 2001
May 09, 1915 to September 05, 2001
On May 09, 1915, a quiet Sunday morning, into this world a handsome blue eyed baby
boy blessed the home of James Monroe Burns and Ellie Jones Burns of Huntington,
Texas. This precious child, Robert Lee Burns, was not only a blessing to this family
but also a life long companion to his one true love Felma Burns and spirit filled father to
his sons Jim and Joe, that he cherished so much.
In order to understand who my father was, one must look into the family that nurtured
him and taught him the valued truths he followed and cherished throughout his life.
His young life to the age of nine was filled with the love and attention of his devoted
mother, Ellie. She was, during this time, the major influence on his life. Her untimely
death when he was nine made an impact on him one could see many years after her death.
Growing up in the 1920's one can visualize him walking through the east Texas woods
with a 22 rifle in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. These formative years in his
young life gave him a profound respect for nature and the beauty of God's creation. He
has on many occasions blessed us with stories of his ventures. I think it was during
these times that he realized the farther to a fishing hole the larger the fish would become
on his way home. Although he would not lie, he would however make it clear he would
tell you the truth three or four ways before he would lie to you.
His education was important, since his father was a teacher. He excelled in his studies
and ventured farther and farther from the small town atmosphere of Huntington, Texas.
He graduated at Lufkin High school where he lettered each year in football.
It was during his mid 20's his father, whom he respected and trusted so, introduced him
to a certain body of principles and rules of morals, duties and conduct, taught in The
Masonic Fraternity. Robert Lee Burns' grandfather Cisero Benjamin Burns as well as
father, James Monroe Burns were both Past Masters of the Homer Masonic Lodge
number 254 in Huntington, Texas. Robert Lee Burns served as a mason for over 61 years
in that lodge in Huntington.
It was at a Holloween dance in Lufkin, Texas during this part of his life he met the only
woman he ever loved, Felma Burns. This bond lasted both of their lives, over 60 years.
Not even a war could separate these two. Both of them went to Catalina Island, together
when dad entered the United States Merchant Marines. This time in his life matured him
to the realities of life. War could have changed him, but it was his faith and the help and
support Felma gave that got him through.
It was during the war he learned a trade that supported our family for over 45 years. The
work of welding and burning became an art with him. He was in fact one of the best at
what he did. Even during hard times in the economy he always had a job. One of his
old time work buddies commented, "Robert Burns can cut threads on a re-enforcing rod
and screw a nut on it." There never was anyone in the IronWorkers Union Local #84 in
Houston that did not love and respect him during the more than 45 years he help build
virtually every building that was built in downtown Houston in this time. He said many
times in a comical gesture, "I believe Houston would crumble if I had all my welds
back." He was one of a kind.
Nothing was more important to him than his family. I believe it was the loss of their first
born twins in the late 40's that made mom and dad so protective of Jim and I. I
remember the stories dad would tell about mom tying Jim and I to the bottom of the boat
to keep us from falling out. One story was the most comical to me. While fishing at the
Neches river, they put Jim and I in this make shift pen with chicken wire so we could not
wander off while they fished. Mom would constantly check on us and during one such
investigation she screamed that I was missing. Dad came running and both of them
began a search. As it turned out I had crawled into a armadillo hole inside the pen.
Daddy was so mad when he pulled me out of the hole. One of the most precious traits of
Robert Burns was his sense of humor. I am sure most of us have been on the wrong end
of his teasing. He loved to smile and nothing made him happier than to make someone
laugh.
It was during the hardships that I witnessed the character of my father. There was no time
he did not put his God first and no time did his faith falter. He held my mother together
for the many years of her pains caused by the accident in 1955. He was the rock that
kept our family solid. He put Jim and I through school and stood by us in good as well as
bad times. He sacrificed himself for the betterment of his family. He toiled and labored
in the hot sun for 45 years to see his sons had what he thought was a better life. He
refused to allow Jim or I to consider anything but a college education and a craft that
would allow for a better life than he could give. He worried so much whether he was
able to provide what it would take to accomplish this.
It was so hard for him when he noticed his memory was failing. He shed many tears
when he shared his thoughts about whether he was a good father and husband. He spent
so many years thinking about others and not himself. To me, there is no character more
godly than one that sacrifices himself for his family and others. Before his memory failed
he did realize that he was a success and his sons would be there for him and would not
let him down. Even though the last years were a struggle for him he was happy and
always had that special Bob Burns smile.
I honor my father today as I honored my mother when she passed. I consider myself
blessed for the time I have had with both my mother and father. All who knew my dad
were blessed in a special way. Robert Lee Burns had a special God given blessing that
could not be ignored, but treasured; a talent to make people smile and a smile that
warmed ones heart.
My dad knew the lesson King Solomon wrote about when he said:
"Remember your Creator while you are still young,
before those dismal days and years come when you
will say, '"I don't enjoy life."' That is when the
light of the sun, the moon and the stars will grow
dim for you, and the rain clouds will never pass
away. Then your arms, that have protected you,
will tremble, and your legs, now strong, will grow weak.
Your teeth will be too few to chew your food, and
your eyes too dim to see clearly. Your ears will
be deaf to the noise of the street. You will barely
be able to hear the mill as it grinds or the music as it
plays, but even the song of a bird will wake you from
sleep. You will be afraid of high places, and walking will
be dangerous. Your hair will turn white; you will
hardly be able to drag yourself along, and all desire
will be gone."
"We are going to our final resting place, and then
there will be mourning in the streets. The silver
chain will snap, and the golden lamp will fall and
break; the rope at the well will break, and the water
jar will be shattered. Our bodies will return to
the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will
go back to God, who gave it to us."
"After all this, there is only one thing to say:
Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because
this is all that man was created for."
May The Lord Jesus Christ Bless us all as we have been blessed by Robert and Felma
Burns. I pray that their souls rest in peace and that they today be with our Lord in
paradise... Amen
With all my love, Joe Burns
September 8, 2001
