- Name: John "Jack" Francis Burns
- Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: August 11, 1952
- Date of Death: February 13, 2019 (66 years old)
- Parents: William (Bill) and Gloria Burns
- High School and Class: 1970 - Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
- College:
- Highest Rank:
- Branch: Air Force
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: July 18, 1972 (Enlistment Date)
- Place Sworn In: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
-
Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served Basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
Article from Grand Rapids Herald Review, dated August 3, 1972:
A young man from Grand Rapids, Minnesota has joined the United States Air Force. Jack F. Burns, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Burns and husband of Nancy L. Burns of Grand Rapids, took the enlistment oath on the 18th of July, 1972, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Airman Burns then flew from Minneapolis to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, where he is attending six weeks of basic military training.
Information in a news article from the Grand Rapids Herald Review, dated September 25, 1972-With our men in service section:
Airman John F. Burns, son of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Burns of 327 Northeast Eighth Street, Grand Rapids, Minnesota has been assigned to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, after completing Air Force basic training.
During his six weeks at the Air training command's Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, he studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special instruction in human relations.
The airman has been assigned to the technical training center at Keesler for specialized training in communications electronics systems.
Airman Burns will begin that training this month as the Air Force is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The airman is a 1970 graduate of Grand Rapids High School. His wife, Nancy, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Hamling of 927 Clover Lane, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. - Wars Involved:
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
After graduation, Jack began an apprenticeship in sheet metal in Hibbing, Minnesota.
He married Nancy Hamlin in 1971 and had two children, Kris and Elizabeth.
In 1972, Jack joined the Air Force and spent most of his active duty stationed in North Dakota. Upon discharge from the service, Jack completed his sheet metal apprenticeship and ultimately served one term as Sheet Metal Union President. He worked at several large construction projects on the Iron Range until moving to Juneau, Alaska in 1982. In Alaska, Jack joined Hermanson Sheetmetal and worked many projects around the Juneau area until finally moving to Seattle, Washington. Jack continued working for Hermanson Sheetmetal based out of Seattle on many construction projects including Boeing's largest building, used for construction of the 747 airplane. He and Roberta Hanson married on February 17, 2001, and have resided at their home in Roy, Washington since.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gloria and William Burns; and a brother, Richard. Jack is survived by his wife of 18 years, Roberta; step-son David (Kimbra) Hanson, children Kris (Jocelyn) Burns and Elizabeth (Brian) Clayton; brother William (Bill), sister Anita (John) Bishop; step-grandchildren Tyler (Vanessa) Hanson, Chase (Caitlin) Hanson; grandchildren Alex, Nicolas, Elizabeth, Taylor, and Travis; and many in-laws, nephews and nieces that loved and will miss him very much.
Per Jack's request, there will be no services or memorials scheduled. Burial will be immediate family only, at a future time.
"To live in the hearts we leave behind, is not to die" - Thomas Campbell - Tribal Affiliation(s):