James Burns

James Norman Burns

On the evening of September 15, 2023, James Norman Burns met face to face with his Heavenly Father, at the age of 78.

James (Jim) has lived in Balch Springs, Texas for the past 31 years with his wife Maxine Burns. He was born in Dallas, to James Andrew Burns and Madie Lou Parker Burns on September 24, 1944. Together they raised James and his two sisters, Sandra Burns Basham and Barbara Burns Carter. He graduated from Alba-Golden High School in 1963, attended Tyler Junior College for a few semesters, and then went to work for LTV (which later became E-Systems, then Raytheon Systems) in Greenville. He was a Tool and Dye Maker in the aircraft industry and then became PDM Planning Manager for several years, prior to retiring in October 2000.

He married his first wife, Charlotte Wood, in February 1965. Together they raised four wonderful children. Their first daughter, Stephanie, was born in September 1965 and 2 ½ years later their second daughter, Lisa, was born in May 1968. Two years later, their third daughter, Kimberly, was born in June 1970. Then, in March 1972, James was born (they finally got their son). James and Charlotte were married for 26 years.

Growing up in the Alba-Golden area, he loved the outdoors…squirrel hunting and bird hunting; but his main and most favorite outdoor activity was fishing. At first it was cat fishing, then he caught the bass fishing bug! He belonged to a few different bass fishing clubs and was a very good fisherman winning many tournaments. He even held the lake record for Large Mouth Bass at Lake Quitman at one time (12 lbs. 9 oz). He was really proud of that fish and donated it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Share a Lunker Program.

He met his current wife, Maxine, in December 1991. They married in April 1992, and he gained two bonus sons (David and Michael). Jim and Maxine both had a love for fishing and fished for many years together. They traveled to Alaska several times and he caught his first King Salmon. It weighed in at a little over 50 pounds…and boy was he hooked on fishing in Alaska! He even wanted to MOVE to Alaska; but they stayed here in Texas. He and Maxine also loved to hunt; but, while building a stand for Maxine to hunt from, he fell and suffered several broken ribs and his pelvis which never healed properly and caused him to lose interest in hunting.

Maxine was the caregiver for almost 15 years to the love of her life until his death. James was preceded in death by his parents; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; sister, Sandra Basham; grandson, Anthony Elkins; father-in-law, Ed Stultz; and nephews, Daniel Helsley and Matthew Helsley.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Maxine Burns; former wife, Charlotte Bledsoe; children, Stephanie (Kevin) Deibert, Lisa (Shane) Webber, Kimberly (Rex) Byrns, James (Misty) Burns, David (Lea) Elkins, and Michael Ross; grandchildren, Christian (Chelsea) Deibert, Daniel (Lace) Deibert, Katelyn (Andrew) Kraemer; Ashton Webber, Taylor Webber, Madison Webber, Cody (Victoria) Connor, Lexi (Nathan) Jarvis, and Aiden Elkins; great-grandchildren, Sadie, Caden and Gavin Deibert, James and Elise Deibert, Rylan Styron, Emersyn and Hadley Jetton, Shane Milner, Asher and Cali Connor, and Truitt Jarvis; sister, Barbara Carter; sister-in-law, Sharon Lewis; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 2:00 P.M., Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Clearview Bible Church, 32651 FM-47, Canton, TX 75103, with Bro Fred Morrow officiating, under the directions of his family and church.