Brian Lloyd Burns

Brian Lloyd Burns, born on April 14, 1951, in Reno, Nevada, was called in to the care of our Lord Jesus Christ on June 24, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Burns; one brother Robert L. Burns (Mary Helen) of Morton, IL; nieces, Renee Horaney, Morton, IL and Julie Simon, Herndon, VA; step-mother Helen Burns, Scottsdale, AZ; aunt, Kathleen Andrews Reno, NV; and several cousins. Brian was preceded in death by his parents Robert L. and Florene Miller Burns, infant brother, Scott; grandparents, Lee and Mollie Burns; grandparents, Minnie and George Miller and nephew Robert L. Burns III.

With the loss of his mother at 1 ½ years of age, Brian spent the next several years of his life receiving much love and care from dear friends and family. He spent his early school years under the guidance of his loving guardian Jeanette Bassey. At the age of 16, Brian moved to the beautiful town of Chatham, IL, where he lived on the farm of his grandparents, Mollie and Lee Burns. It was during these years that his noble and kind way of treating others would be formed and would be present for the rest of his life. He truly lived the principles of the Golden Rule.

During his college years at Southern Illinois University (SIU), Brian was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. Upon graduation from SIU, Brian began his sales career in the wholesale industry in Southern California. He began his successful residential real estate career shortly after moving to Dallas, TX, in 1990. In 1996, Brian married his soulmate and the love of his life, Carmen Vasquez in San Antonio, TX. He was happy to have gained a new family with such a loving father-in-law and mother-in-law, Manuel and Anita. They now had the son they had always wanted. Sisters-in-law Ana, Teresa and Maria now had their big brother, whose warm heart brought much love, knowledge, kindness and endless humor. During their joyful and devoted 23 years of marriage, Brian and Carmen loved traveling, enjoying the symphony, theatre and just spending time with each other.

Brian had varied interests; he enjoyed water sports including scuba diving and windsurfing. He had a love of gardening, wine collecting, and an appreciation of aviation and classic cars. An avid and descriptive storyteller, Brian’s stories would transport you into his story and you would find yourself laughing wholeheartedly.

Brian’s qualities were numerous. But his kind and generous way of treating everyone he knew or met was his most endearing attribute. He will be loved forever and remain in our hearts forever.

Brian L. Burns, a Gentleman and a Gentle Man

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, July 10, 2019, Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road, Dallas, Texas, 75225.

Contributions may be made to St Jude’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.