Vernon Marshall Burns

Vernon Marshall Burns, age, 95, passed away in Carrollton on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 12:00 PM in Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Vernon was born September 23, 1928 to Robert V. Burns and Lottie Marshall Burns in Blackwell, Oklahoma as they followed the oil boom of the 1920’s from Graham, through north Texas, Oklahoma, and southern Kansas. Upon the family’s return to Graham in 1931, he lived his early childhood in rural Graham.

In 1942, the wartime economy prompted the family to move to California. In 1946, Vernon returned to Graham expressly for the purpose of earning his high school diploma from where he considered to be his hometown.

He was employed in the telephone industry in 1948, taking leave in 1950 through most of 1952 to serve in the U.S. Army. His service included nine months with the 7^th Infantry Division in the Korean War as a signal corps (telephone) sergeant.

When released from active duty, Vernon returned to the telephone industry progressing through several craft positions, followed by movement through supervisory, managerial, staff, and executive positions. This included employment by Southwestern Bell, GTE, Sprint, and Qwest, in California, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Upon retirement from the telephone industry in 1988 he owned and operated a light construction business headquartered in Carrollton, Texas and again retired in 2005.

Vernon married June James in California in 1952. This union was blessed with a daughter, Patricia of Lewisville Texas, and a son, Gerald of Dallas. The children’s contributions to the family include in-laws, five grandkids, and 12 great grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and in 2012, by his life mate, June, and sisters, Margaret Burns Reed and Lillian Burns Luksich.

Memorials can be made to Cal Farley’s Ranch P.O. Box 1890 Amarillo, Texas 79101