Emory Thomas Tommy Burns, 70, widower of Carolyn (Lockridge) Burns of 313 Hoover Street, passed away Friday, October 17, 2014, at Augusta Health in Fishersville.
Mr. Burns was born on April 24, 1944, in Highland County, a son of the late Julian H. Sr. and Opal Pearl (Rexrode) Burns.
Tommy attended Jerusalem Chapel United Brethren Church and was a member of the American Legion Staunton Post 13. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and retired on February 26, 1992 from the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company as a route manager. Tommy enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and attending shooting matches. His favorite time spent was with his family and loving his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Burns was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald Burns and Julian H. Burns, Jr.
Mr. Burns is survived by two sons, Michael S. Burns and wife Diane of Stuarts Draft and Dwayne T. Burns and wife Kristie of Staunton; two brothers, Steven Ray Burns of McDowell and William Henry Pete Burns of Staunton; one sister, Beverley Ann Keyser of Hot Springs; two grandchildren, Reilly C. Burns and Keaton C. Burns; a very special friend, Barbara Carpenter; and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2014, in the Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.
A Celebration of life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, in Jerusalem Chapel United Brethren Church by Pastors Denny Sites and Kevin Persinger.
Burial will follow in the Oak Lawn Memory Gardens with Military Honors.
Active pallbearers will be Doug Lyle, Keyser Kirtley, Woody Griffin, Lawrence Griffin, Tracy Bartley, George Price, and Bennie Whitesell.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Lynn Griffin, Buck Howdyshell, Harold Frye, Kevin Burns, Jonathan Burns, Lisa Hull, Curtis Lockridge, Anthony Lockridge, R.D. Robertson, and Edgar P. Corkey Smith.
It is suggested those desiring make contributions to the American Kidney Foundation, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, Maryland 20852, or Priority Patient Transportation, 823 Richmond Ave, Staunton, VA 24401, or DaVita Staunton Dialysis, 29 Idlewood Blvd, Staunton, VA 24401.
The family would like to express a special Thank You to Dr. Terry Overby, Dr. Jacek Paszkowiak and to Priority Patient Transportation.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.

Visitation:
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory
230 Frontier Drive
Staunton, VA 24401
6:00 p.m. to 8:0 ,Monday, October 20, 2014