Rufus Burns, Jr.

Rufus Burns Jr, age 75, resident of Missouri City, Texas, passed away at his residence on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Rufus was born and raised in Tallulah, Louisiana. He graduated from Reuben McCall Senior High School. Upon his graduation, he was awarded a full scholarship in basketball to Houston Baptist University. He was recruited by HBU because of the skills he had shown as a player at McCall. He was 6'6" tall, an exceptional jumper and an accurate shooter. After graduation from HBU, he taught at Welch Middle School and coached teams competing in cross country and track. He retired at Welch after teaching for 30 years.

Rufus was a gentle giant to his family and friends. He loved to travel and he never met a stranger. His hobbies also included photography. It was common to see him with a camera on each shoulder hiking at Brazos Bend Park looking for birds and alligators in the morning when they were most active.

Rufus was preceded in death by his mother Lillie Bell Buchanan, father Rufus Burns, maternal grandparents, Abron and Annie Bell Buchanan, brothers Leroy and Timothy Buchanan, four aunts and three uncles. He is survived by his sister, Earnestine Riley and his brother, Donald Buchanan and his wife Debbie of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Buchanan Branch and her husband Billy of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is survived by three aunts: Estella Wilbert and Georgia Smith of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Lula Kelsaw of Portland, Oregon. He is survived by three uncles: Melvin Buchanan and Richard Buchanan of Lake Providence, Louisiana, and Charlie Buchanan of Tallulah, Louisiana. He is survived by a host of cousins and friends.

Special thanks to Howard and Mary Hardt for their diligence and care provided to him during his unexpected illness and passing. Also a special thanks to his Welch Middle School family and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at www.earthmansouthwest.com.