Thomas Cleveland Burns

Thomas Burns, 57, of Fayetteville, NC passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 20, 1964, in Fayetteville. He was a member of the 1982 graduating class of Douglas Byrd High School, where he played football for the legendary Coach Bob Paroli. Thomas was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother and a genuinely thoughtful and loving person. He was employed by Bobby Taylor Oil Company. He was baptized and joined Walstone Memorial Baptist Church in 1986. As a longstanding member of the church, Thomas served as a Deacon and as a member on numerous committees. Thomas volunteered his time with the Cumberland County Youth Association where he mentored and coached numerous young boys and girls. He also coached his children as they played various sports growing up. Finally, Thomas volunteered at Pine Forest High School as the JV Softball Coach, the Varsity Bowling Coach, an Assistant Football Coach, and the Football Program Equipment Manager.

His funeral service will be held at Walstone Memorial Baptist Church at 12 pm on Saturday, October 30 with a visitation preceding the service from 10:00-11:45 am. Burial will follow at Cumberland Memorial Gardens on Raeford Rd. Officiating will be Reverend Ron Bean and Reverend James Hayes.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife Karen, his daughter Hannah (Jarrod) Britt and their son Cole of Wade; his daughter Kristen Burns and her daughter Brooklyn of Fayetteville; his son Aaron (Carmen) Burns and their daughters Emma, Memphis, and Austin of Miami Lakes, Florida; and his sisters Rebecca (John) Flowers of Fayetteville and Veldia Gautier of Riverview, Florida, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Thomas is preceded in death by his father, Lloyd G. Burns, his mother, Shirley Isenhour, and his brother, Mark Burns.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, “In Memory of Thomas C. Burns” to:
UNC Transplant Care Jason Ray Memorial Fund
101 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, 27514.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.