Leonard W. Burns

© Cheyenne Star

01 May 2003

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

Leonard W. Burns was born September 16, 1900 in Indian Territory, near what is now Marlow, Oklahoma, to Minnie Mae and Charles Henry Burns.

He was the fifth child of nine and was the last remaining of this generation.

He passed away April 26, 2003 in the Ranchwood Nursing Center, Yukon, Oklahoma, at the age of 102 years, 7 months and 10 days.

Leonard attended Burns School through eighth grade in a one room school house built on the corner of the family property in the early 1920's. He followed his father to Roger Mills county and they settled in the Rankin/Reydon area.

When the town of Rankin moved north to the railroad and became Reydon, Leonard helped in the construction of several buildings in the new town including the Mercantile Store, Theater Building and the Herring & Young Building.

During a snowstorm on December 17, 1930, Leonard married Mary Elizabeth McColgin at her parent's home two miles south of Reydon. They shared seventy years together.

Leonard and Mary farmed in the Reydon area and then the Clinton and Stafford areas.

They later moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. In December of 1939, the family moved back to the farm south of Reydon.

As well as farming, Leonard worked various other jobs which included running a bulldozer, driving a truck, grading roads for the county and buying cattle.

He later was employed by the State of Oklahoma as a Butane-Propane Fuel Inspector until his retirement at age sixty nine.

Leonard always raised cattle. He took pride in his herd of Registered Herefords and maintained a membership in national, state, and local Cattleman's Associations.

He served on the Reydon School Board for thirteen years and was proud of the accomplishments achieved for the school during his terms on the Board.

Leonard and Mary were honored with his induction into the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1998. They both received much enjoyment from his many birthday celebrations.

He was a member of the Reydon United Methodist Church since 1930 where he served as Sunday School Superinendent for many years and also served in other capacities.

Leonard will be remembered for his uncommon strength, determination, and dignity. Because of his love and devotion to his family and his deep affection for his friends, he will truly be missed. He leaves a rich legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great granchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two sons, Donald Wayne and Dan Burns; three sisters and five brothers.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Reydon united Methodist Church, Reydon Senior Citizen's Center or the charity of your choice.

Services will be held Thursday, May 1, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. at Reydon Community Building, officiated by Rev. Margaret Friend.

Burial will be at White Rose Cemetery, Reydon, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service.

Survivors include one daughter, Kay and Tom Lovett of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one son, Eugene and Elenita Burns of Agency, Missouri; two daughters-in-law, Roberta Burns of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and Martha Burns of Bethany, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Lisa Coffee and husband, Glenn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Greg Burns and wife, Paula of Agency, Missouri; Bryan Lovett of Houston, Texas; Todd Burns and wife, Mary Jo of St. Joseph, Missouri; Kerri Burns and fiancee Kent Parks of Kansas City, Missouri; John Bakker and wife, Marlene of Venheuzen, Holland; eight great grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

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