Ray Burns left to be with his Lord on Tuesday February 1st after a courageous battle with brain cancer. His family and close friends supported him through the entire journey. Ray deeply loved his Lord, family, church, and Texas A&M University. He adored his three grandchildren and spent as much time with them as possible. He treasured golf, fishing and hunting trips along with Aggie football and basketball games.
Ray was the oldest child born on August 19th, 1936 in West Columbia, TX. He grew up in Ganado, TX with his sister and brothers on a farm and enjoyed all things about life; fishing, hunting, swimming while also learning the value of hardwork. He graduated from Ganado High school in 1954 where he played basketball, ran track, baseball and was Class President. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He loved his alma mater and his senior class of 59 where he served as class agent from 2004 to 2009.
He met his wife of 51 years, Marsha, on a blind date in his last semester at A&M and they married 3 months later at the Ganado Church of Christ. They had a wonderful military career making life long friends.
Upon graduation from Texas A&M College in 1959, Ray was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery and faithfully and courageously served his country for thirty years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. After attending Airborne and Aviation training as a young officer, he rose up through the ranks in numerous command and staff positions of increasing responsibility. He served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter aviator and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, along with many other awards and decorations too numerous to mention. He served as an Aviation Company Commander in Germany and as an Aviation Battalion Commander in Korea. As a senior officer he attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and was assigned to various staff levels, culminating with five years on the Department of Army staff of the Personnel Directorate.
After retiring from the military in 1989, Ray & Marsha moved to College Station, TX where they became members of the A&M Church of Christ and Pebble Creek Country Club. One of Ray’s ministries within the Church was in the building facilities. He assisted with the relocation into the new building and was the Facility Manager.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents Raystell & Marie Burns of Ganado and his father-in-law & mother-in-law Al & Mary Jane Foster of Houston.
Ray is survived by wife of 51 years, Marsha Joe Burns (Foster) of College Station, son and daughter-in-law Larry & Becke Burns of Houston, grandchildren Chase, Will and Kelsie Burns of Houston, daughter and life partner Deiadra Burns & Dr. Sandra Howell of Dallas, sister and brother-in-law Carol & Rich Schoenfeld of New Braunfels, brother Anthony Burns of Inez, brother and sister-in-law Henry & Ivy Burns of Perth Australia, brother-in-law and wife Ron & Shirley Foster of Houston, brother-in-law and wife Al & Julie Foster of Houston. Nieces and nephews Leigh Ann & Byron Humes of Inez, Mark Foster of Seattle, James Foster of San Antonio, Craig & Wendi Foster of Austin, Jennifer & David Hildebrand of Austin, Kelly Foster of Houston and great nieces and nephews Sean Humes, Blaine Humes, Mason Foster, McKenna Foster, Evan Hildebrand and Dylan Hildebrand.
Serving the family as pallbearers will be Colonel Richard Noack, Colonel Jay Bisbey, Colonel Chuck Oualline, Eric Eike, Mike Newton, Chris Larkin, Ross Clary & David Clary.
The family would like to thank many friends and caregivers for their support during his battle with cancer.
Memorials may be made to A&M Church of Christ Building Fund, The Texas A&M Foundation-Class of 59 Gift Fund in memory of Col Ray L. Burns and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The family will receive friends Friday, February 4, from 5pm to 8pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel of College Station. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 5, 1:30pm at A&M Church of Christ. The interment will follow with full Military Honors at Memorial Cemetery of College Station in the Aggie Field of Honor.
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