BURNS RAY L

COL Ray L. Burns was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 02/01/2011 at the age of 74.5 from Brain cancer
College Station, TX
Flight Class 60-2
Date of Birth 08/19/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 119 AHC in 65-66, A/159 AVN 101 ABN in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam ALLIGATOR
This information was provided by Barry Geller, Chuck Qualline

More detail on this person: Colonel Ray Larry Burns Aug. 19th, 1936 Feb. 1st, 2011 Ray Burns left to be with his Lord on Tuesday February 1st after a courageous battle with brain cancer. His family and close friends supported him through the entire journey. Ray deeply loved his Lord, family, church, and Texas A&M University. He adored his three grandchildren and spent as much time with them as possible. He treasured golf, fishing and hunting trips along with Aggie football and basketball games. Ray was the oldest child born on August 19th, 1936 in West Columbia, TX. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He loved his alma mater and his senior class of 59 where he served as class agent from 2004 to 2009. Upon graduation from Texas A&M College in 1959, Ray was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery and faithfully and courageously served his country for thirty years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter aviator and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, along with many other awards and decorations too numerous to mention. Ray is preceded in death by his parents Raystell & Marie Burns of Ganado and his father-in-law & mother-in-law Al & Mary Jane Foster of Houston. Ray is survived by wife of 51 years, Marsha Joe Burns (Foster) of College Station, son and daughter-in-law Larry & Becke Burns of Houston, grandchildren Chase, Will and Kelsie Burns of Houston, daughter and life partner Deiadra Burns & Dr. Sandra Howell of Dallas, sister and brother-in-law Carol & Rich Schoenfeld of New Braunfels, brother Anthony Burns of Inez, brother and sister-in-law Henry & Ivy Burns of Perth Australia, brother-in-law and wife Ron & Shirley Foster of Houston, brother-in-law and wife Al & Julie Foster of Houston and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Colonel Richard Noack, Colonel Jay Bisbey, Colonel Chuck Oualline, Eric Eike, Mike Newton, Chris Larkin, Ross Clary & David Clary. The family would like to thank many friends and caregivers for their support during his battle with cancer. Memorials may be made to A&M Church of Christ Building Fund, The Texas A&M Foundation-Class of 59 Gift Fund in memory of Col Ray L. Burns and MD Anderson Cancer Center. The family will receive friends Friday, February 4, from 5pm to 8pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel of College Station. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 5, 1:30pm at A&M Church of Christ. The interment will follow with full Military Honors at Memorial Cemetery of College Station in the Aggie Field of Honor.

Burial information: Memorial Cemetery of College Station

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025