John Robert Burns

On September 28, 2024, my beloved companion stepped over into the next part of his journey to Heaven. John Robert Burns was born on February 2, 1959, to Robert Ensign & Wanda (Everton) Burns in Los Angeles, California. He was the (late) caboose of the family- dearly loved and spoiled (lol). He had one brother, Richard Burdette Burns, who passed too soon in life; and two sisters, Susan and Marsha. Growing up by the beach was a wonderful thing. He grew up doing and participating in many fun and adventurous activities. John played sports all through school. In high school he met his to be life long best friend, Mark Wiemer, over shooting hoops together. They were really more like brothers. In 1975 was really the beginning of his career in life as he became involved with the production of Roadshows the church put on. Later, he was involved with Lex De Azevedo with Threads of Glory and Saturday's Warrior. After graduating, John went to BYU for a year. He then put in his papers for a mission and was called to serve in the Boise Idaho Mission. This is where his love of The Gospel of Jesus Christ became the turning point for him. After returning home he went back to BYU and majored in telecommunications. He worked with the Osmond's and with a network for BYU Sports. He was later hired by Channel 2 News. During this time, he married Jonelle Taylor and had two children, Sara Burns Mendenhall and Robert Noel Burns. They were divorced in 2015. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona and was self-employed as a video editor for live sports. His life was on the road a lot, working games all over the country, even the Olympics. Some of the things he loved in life were Hawaii, photography, shooting guns and watching movies, camping, traveling, genealogy, pizza, and Pepsi. In 2018, John met the love of his life, Michelle. They were married on February 5th, 2018, after only a month of long distance calls. God worked his magic in bringing them together, it was love at first sight. They were later sealed for time and all eternity on July 11, 2020. They shared many adventures and cherished every moment together. Through this union he gained six bonus children, Shane C. Wilson, Natalie Shope (Jeff), Elizabeth Burk (AJ), Lisa Batty (Brandon), Jack Parkinson, and Amy Parkinson (Brad). He served in various positions in the church, but his love was to help others with family history. His genealogy work was tremendous. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a quiet but gentle soul. He has returned to his mom, dad, brother, and many other friends and family members on the other side who have been waiting to welcome him home. John is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Burns; children: Sara Burns Mendenhall (Iowa), and Robert Noel Burns (Arizona), Lisa Batty (Vernal), Amy Parkinson (Arizona), Shane C. Wilson (Vernal), Elizabeth Burk (Vernal), Jack R. Parkinson (Colorado), Natalie Shope (Vernal); and sisters Marsha Dial (Utah), and Susan B. Schuett (Ohio). He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Ensign Burns and Wanda Everton Burns; his brother Richard Burdette Burns; and a nephew, Andrew Ryan Conder. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Tridell LDS Chapel at 11:00AM. A viewing for family and friends will be held Friday 9:45-10:45AM at the Church. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.