Don passed away in his Hansville Washington home on June 10, 2020. Dons’ passing was peaceful and unrelated to Covid-19. His final resting place is the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana Arizona just North of Tucson. No gravesite ceremony was held.

Born December 16, 1936 in Weston Missouri and known to most as R.D. He was the younger of 2 children born to Reuben and Lottie. He graduated high school class of 1954. He had spent summers working in Eastern Washington during his college years. He knew he wanted to someday return to the area to raise a family. After College, he joined the Navy and was stationed in San Diego. He was set up on a blind date and met his future wife, Carolyn, who then followed him overseas. They married in 1964 in Japan. He served in the Vietnam War and went on to serve 23 years in the Navy retiring as a Supply Commander.

After his Naval career, Don worked for Pan American in 1979 at the Silverdale Sub Base Bangor. He was the Project Manager for Johnson Controls Group when he retired. He volunteered his time with Silverdale Rotary Club and United Way. Don represented a strong work ethic, integrity and the ability to encourage people to be their best. He especially enjoyed traveling including memorable trips to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and Scotland.

Don and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Arizona after retiring. They spent 20 plus years enjoying the sunshine and exploring the wonders of the desert. Don was so moved by the beauty of Arizona that he published a book of poems he had written over the years. Please email: dcburns1@comcast.net if you would like to receive a copy of his poem book. There are a limited number of copies, but we would like to share with those who knew him. Don now watches over Carolyn his wife, Kathy and Derek Burns his adult children. He is greatly missed and with us always.