Michael Eugene Burns

Michael E. Burns, 63, of Eufaula, passed away on October 29, 2011 at his home. Mike was born January 13, 1948 in Checotah; the son of D.E. “Bullet” and Evelyn Lackey Burns. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 in the Kelley Memorial Chapel of Hunn, Black & Merritt Funeral Home with Rev. Terry Simmons officiating. Masonic Rites were performed by the Blue Lodge #1. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers were Matt Rodebush, Ed Rodebush, Mike Bridges, Hunter Hughes, C.L. “Okie” Guinn, Jackie McCullar. Honorary pallbearers were Clyde Hamilton, Ed Peters, Joe Bollenger, Al Blessinger, and Darrell “Learch” McNatt.. Mike was raised and attended school in Eufaula. He was a 1967 graduate of Eufaula High School and a graduate of Oklahoma State Tech in Okmulgee studying Refrigeration/Air Conditioning. Mike was one of the first Emergency Medical Technicians to work for the Eufaula Ambulance Service at that time he was also a Eufaula Volunteer Fireman. He worked construction as an instrument fitter/tubing bender for nationally known companies in several paper mills and power plants around the country. He also worked as a lineman for Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative for several years in the Eufaula and Meeker areas. Mike married Linda Lewis on September 1, 1985. They returned to Eufaula in 1986 to help care for the family cattle operation when his father became ill. He became the “handyman” around town to anyone who needed him, but most of all he enjoyed helping his little ladies. He was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed assistance. Mike loved to hunt and fish but never seemed to have the time to do either, he was always working. He said over and over again that he was put on this earth to help others and when he had helped the right one his time would be done and that he had just not helped the right one. He must have helped the right one so his job was completed and he was called home. Mike was very proud of what the children had accomplished and his grandchildren were the world to him. Mike was a perpetual member of the Blue Lodge #1 and a 32nd Degree Mason; a member of the American Quarter Horse Association; member of the American Miniature Horse Association. Mike is survived by his wife Linda of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sara and Gene Hance of Scipio and Sally and Nathan Whitley of Eufaula; one son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Jackie Burns of Broken Arrow; four grandchildren, Kady and Cody Whitley of Eufaula and Hannah and Shyann Burns of Broken Arrow; numerous other family members and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, D.E. Bullet and Evelyn Burns