James Wesley Burns (Jim) passed away on December 11, 2021 while in hospice care at Pacifica Senior Living at the age of 63, after a long battle with early onset frontotemporal dementia and Parkinson’s disease. He leaves behind his wife, Suzanne Burns; mother, Zelda Burns, and three siblings: Timothy Burns and wife, Pattie; Susan Cullado and husband, Mike; and Sandy Hance and husband, Bud; along with a small army of nephews, nieces and great nephews and niece.

 

Jim was born on December 15, 1957 to father, Wesley Burns and mother, Zelda Burns in LaGrange, Indiana. He grew up in a pastor’s home with 2 sisters and brother. Jim graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a degree in music and took his first position as a Minister of Music and Youth at Biltmore Nazarene Church in Phoenix, Arizona. He left the ministry, to become an educator and quickly rose through the ranks to principal. Shortly after finishing his doctorate at Northern Arizona University, Jim entered higher education spending time as professor, Dean of Education, Dean of Graduate Programs and Dean of Continuing Education. The last 15 years of work were spent in the California State University system where he served as Dean of Graduate Studies and oversaw Mariner and pilot training programs in ports up and down the west coast and internationally.

 

Jim married Suzanne Barnell on August 15, 1981. They lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoyed wine country and travel. A family man to the core, Jim spent many long evenings with family strewn across the floor chatting and laughing with loved ones into the wee hours of the morning. He was a doting uncle who took literally thousands of photos of nieces, Keturie and Kilmeny and nephew, Morgan, chronicling memorable family times. His nieces joked that, noting that he wasn’t in many family photos (as he was our official photographer), he was forced to invent the selfie long before it became a thing! 

 

Jim and Suzanne spent 40 years of marriage together. The best of friends, comrades, and life partners, they traveled together at home and abroad, creating the best of memories. Jim requested cremation and a portion of his remains will rest in Hawaii—our favorite family vacation spot. His life will be celebrated by family and friends privately with Suzanne's and Jim's families respectively and a few close family friends. 

 

Friends and family are encouraged to share fond memories of Jim on his Facebook page. For those wishing to commemorate him please click on one of the designated foundations to donate. Donations may be made to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund where 100% of donations go directly to research or to the Alzheimer's Association.