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Texas newspapers lost a longtime supporter and friend this month. Robert W. “Butch” Burns, 61, of Stephenville died Aug. 8 in Fort Worth.
Burns has contributed much to Texas newspapers over the years. He served as finance director for the North and East Texas Press Association Board of Directors. He also served 15 years on the West Texas Press Association Board of Directors.
TPA presented Burns with a special “Friend of TPA” award at the 2010 Midwinter Conference and Trade Show in January for his many years of loyalty to the association.
A native of Jacksonville, Burns graduated from Troup High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University.
He spent 40 years working for CenturyLink, formerly CenturyTel/EMBARQ. He started out as a construction inspector in 1970 in Palestine, Tyler, Troup and Overton, and worked his way up to district manager positions in Bridgeport and Palestine. He later worked in Stephenville as community relations and public affairs manager from 1989 to 2010.
Burns also served on several other boards and commissions, serving as a two-term council member with the city of Stephenville; past vice president and president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce; past president and co-chair of the legislative committee with the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce; board member of Tarleton State University’s Texan Club; board member of the Tarleton State University president’s advisory board; and many more.
Burns married Jeanne Siros in 1967 in Mixon. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; daughter, Shelley Porter of Stephenville; son, Robbie Burns of Stephenville; granddaughter, Jessica Porter; grandsons, Jeffery Porter and Justin Porter; and a sister, Cynthia Hall of Bullard. |