Burns

Allen Neil Burns, a faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. Allen, loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and friend, was born on Dec. 24, 1937 in San Augustine County, Texas, to Allen Andrew Burns and Rosalie Beard Burns. In 1952, when he was 14, his family moved to Houston. He graduated from Milby High School in 1956, then went to Texas A&M (Allen told people he went to a reform school in College Station!) where he was in the Corps and earned a Chemical Engineering Degree in 1960 (while majoring in bridge and bowling!). While at TAMU, Allen was President of his Sophomore, Junior and Senior Classes. Upon Graduation from TAMU, Allen married Anne Rose, had two children and served in the U.S. Army - Artillery, reaching the rank of Captain. Allen worked for Brown & Root, Kodak (15 years in Rochester, NY) and Jacobs Engineering. Allen was part of the team that developed the Professional Engineer’s exam for Instrumentation Engineering. Allen married Billie Mc- Dowell in 1995 and was an active member of St. Luke’s Methodist in Houston, where he and Billie met in 1990. They retired in 2009, and moved permanently to La Grange, where they were active members of the First United Methodist Church. Allen loved playing softball all his life and played Senior Softball for 28 years, and travelled on tournament teams playing across the U.S., plus in London, Paris and China. Allen loved life, playing softball, Aggies, and serving the Lord! Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Allen Andrew and Rosalie Octava Beard Burns; sister, Susan Akin; daughter-in-law, Barbara Burns; and granddaughter, Lindsey Hope Burns. Allen is survived by his loving wife, Billie, of La Grange; his son, Brent A, Burns; daughter, Catherine Burns and husband, Jim Riviera; daughter, Patricia Long; grandchildren: Raul Hinojosa; Alyssa Calhoun and husband, Jacob; Catherine Long; Austin Long; Rachel Burns; and Jordan Burns; great grandson, Logan Calhoun; sister, Glenda Minniece and her husband, John; aunts: Juanice Beard and Peggy Beard; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters in Christ. He will be missed by all who knew him. The family welcomes you to celebrate his life at a Memorial Service at First United Methodist Church of La Grange, 1215 N. Von Minden, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers you may make donations to “The Methodist Men” at FUMC or Hospice Brazos Valley, 302 E Bluebell Rd., Brenham, Texas 77833. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange was in charge of arrangements.