David Gerald Burns

On July 4, 2019, David Gerald Burns, 87, of Dubois, Idaho, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side.

Dave was born in a cabin on Flat Creek in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on March 25, 1932, to Joseph Robert Burns and Florence Fern Goe Burns. He was the fourth of twelve children. In 1950 he graduated from Clark County High School in Dubois. Dave joined the US Army and served in the Korean War from 1950-1953. 

While in the Army and on leave, he hitchhiked from Norfolk, Virginia, to Lewiston, Idaho, to marry the love of his life, Bonnie Gay Thomas, on November 12, 1952. The spark still burns after 67 years. In this union, God blessed them with 5 children, 24 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. 

Dave enjoyed rodeo, good bucking horses, fishing on No-Tell’em Creek with his grandchildren, camping, and a good sporting match. Dave was a very loving companion, a good father, and grandfather. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dave is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his sons, David Burns of Dubois and Jeff (Heidi) Burns of Terreton; his daughters, Kerri Ellis of Dubois, Lauri Sperl of Rexburg, and Bobbi (Rory) Krenka of Carey; his brother, Dean Burns of Arco; and his sister, Janene (Perry) Schroeder of Phoenix, AZ. 

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Florence Goe Johnson and Robert Joseph Burns; brothers, Robert and Byron Burns; his sisters, Jane Scott, Eloise Rogers, Justine Staley, Sandy Prestwich, Kita Teeter, Barbara Sharp, and Shauna Birkinbine. 

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on July 18, 2019, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Beaver Creek Ward, 471 East 2nd South Street in Dubois, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be held at the Dubois Cemetery where Military Rights will be performed by the Clark County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. 

The family wishes to thank the excellent staff at Genesis Care Center, in Rexburg, Idaho, for their kind, loving, and devoted service, as well as Solace Hospice for their professional and compassionate care.