Edward Jerome Burns 91 of High Point, NC died 9/17/2006 after a long illness at St. Mary's County Nursing Center Inc., Leonardtown, MD.

Born in his parent's home in Wilkes-Barre, PA Oct. 23, 1914 he was the son of Michael J, (Byrne) Burns and Mary Ellen Burke Burns Irish Immigrants.

He was the 8th of 9 children all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his infant daughter Patricia Eileen and his first born child Michael Joseph Burns. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Ruby D. Shipley Burns of La Plata, MD his daughter Diane David and husband Karoly of La Plata, MD, son Edward Jerome Burns Jr. of La Plata, MD, daughter-in-law Sharon A. Burns of Arizona, grandchildren Laurie Reed and husband Michael of WV, Daniel Burns and wife Delree of Texas, Patricia Gibson and her husband Michael of Silver Spring, MD, Edward David and wife Bonnie of Hughesville, MD, Richard David and wife Laurie of Charlotte Hall, MD, great- grandchildren Sarah, Kara, Heather, Rachael, Alexander, Justin and Zachary and one great- great- granddaughter Alora Nicole, several special nieces and nephews Mary Burns, Eleanor Hamilton, Janet Shipley, Joseph Snavely and Arthur Shipley.

Mr. Burns worked after graduation from Wilkes-Barre Business College in 1934 for the Civilian Conservation Corps and did survey work in Hickory Run, PA and other PA sites. He worked for the Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh where he met Ruby and graduated from Carnegie Tech.

Mr. Burns then started his career in communications with the Commonwealth, Luzerne and Bradford County Telephone companies. He left Commonwealth to work for Ridgeway, PA, Meadville, PA and Jamestown, NY Telephone companies and rose to the position of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller of those three companies.

Mr. Burns loved God, family, and country. He was particularly proud of the over 80 years combined service to the military Navy and Marine Corps, of his children, grandchildren and now great-grand child and all their accomplishments. A song was always in his heart and a joke was just a minute away and if you had time a history lesson was there for the asking. Never to stay stuck in the past he took up computer and genealogy in his mid 70's connecting the family to their humble roots, present, and future.

He treated everyone he met with respect.

Contributions can be made to the PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA, P.O. Box 96010, Washington, DC 20090-6010.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday 9/20/06 at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home from 4-7pm. Service will be held on Saturday 9/23/06 at the Sacred Heart-St. John's Church, in Wilkes-Barre, PA at 10am. Interment will follow at the St. Mary's Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The Rev. Msgr. John Sempa will officiate.