John David Burns

John David Burns, age 64, of Omaha, NE, passed away peacefully at the Josie Harper Hospice House on August 19, 2022 after a short battle with metastatic throat cancer. John was born in Omaha, NE on April 11, 1958 to Mildred and William Burns.

John attended Central High School, class of 1976, where he played cornet in the marching band and spent half days at Tech High. A self-taught craftsman, John started his career mastering the craft of auto body repair and painting, and transitioned to home repair and building for the last 25 years. John was a true artist, whose work reflected his deep appreciation for beauty, creativity, and attention to detail.

John was also a notorious joker and an adventure-seeker, who loved everything from downhill and water skiing to flying kites, trying new foods, and dancing in the rain. In addition, John was a generous, supportive, and caring friend to hundreds, who could always count on him for his thoughtful advice or for borrowing a tool.

John married Helen Cohen Burns in 1992 and had one daughter, Haley Burns, in 1993.

John was preceded in death by his parents William (Mildred) Burns and sister PJ Sharpe. He is survived by his wife, Helen Burns, and his daughter Haley (Nathan Whittle) Burns, as well as his sisters Kathy (Jim Nixa) Patchin, Barb (Gary) Kastrick, brother Bill (Carol) Burns, and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Service and burial will be held at Westlawn - Hillcrest on Aug 22 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the family, who will distribute them to charities important to John.