Bruce Burns

Bruce Douglas Burns, 76, passed away Thursday, August 16, 2018 after a brief illness. Bruce was born in Fremont, MI on June 18, 1942 to William Morrison Burns and Avis Mae Riopelle Burns. Many happy summers were spent at the family farm in Fremont and in Detroit until his father passed away in 1946. His mother soon met Woodrow McGee and remarried, and the combined family with five young children settled in Battle Creek, MI. Bruce graduated in 1961 from St. Philip Catholic High School and attended Western Michigan University where he graduated in 1965. Bruce worked various jobs in Michigan and eventually worked for Amtrak from 1974 until he retired in 2003. During his many years with the railroad, he traveled throughout the United States working different train routes, the Sunset Limited and Empire Builder, finally settling in Bremerton, WA for several years. Bruce loved the Pacific Northwest and often camped with friends as he was always ready for the next big adventure. After retirement Bruce moved to Coeur d'Alene ID and lived there until a serious injury in 2010 prompted his move to Spring TX, where he lived with his niece and nephew Lisa and Bill Whaley. He eventually moved to Paradise Springs, a retirement community. Bruce made many great friends and was involved in several social activities, he especially loved the musical events, bingo, bus trips, and visiting and sharing stories with his friends. He was a fun loving, happy go lucky guy who enjoyed life. Bruce was preceded in death by his father and mother William "Bud" and Avis, his stepfather Woodrow, his brother William Benjamin Burns and sister Avis Lee Burns Bragagnini Wilson. He is survived by two stepbrothers and sister in laws, Michael and Betty McGee of Palm Springs, CA and Ronald and Marie McGee of Adrian, MI, niece and caregiver Lisa Whaley and William Whaley, niece Kristina McGee, nephews Michael Bragagnini, John McGee, David McGee, and Andrew McGee, several great nieces and great nephews and cousins who will cherish fond memories. Bruce will be greatly missed by his family and lifelong friends Bill and Kitty Bodine of Prescott, AZ, whom he often visited and loved dearly, his lovely cat Tomasina, and many furry friends - Bella, Sammy, Scamps, and Simon, Lucy, Whiskey and Scootie. He loved animals and they all loved him, his childhood dog Dusty and his lab Banjo will be waiting to greet him at the rainbow bridge. We will miss his kind heart and gentle soul forever!