Ralph Burns Jr.

Ralph Burns Jr., of Ellis died, Saturday December 27 at Hays Medical Center. He was born December 2, 1943, in Hays to Ralph and Barbara (Augustine) Burns. He married Viola Mae Kutina on April 20th 1963 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellis. Ralph and Viola were blessed with two children, ten grandchildren and five great-grand children. Their daughter Annette L. Ellis and husband Mark of Ellis, and son Dean A. Burns and wife Darlene of Hays. Their grandchildren, Darin Myers (27) and wife Kelly of Hays, Krista Fabricius (23) of Ellis, Jacob (10) and Rylee Burns (3) of Hays, Codey (21) and Casey (17) Carlisle of Hays, Margaret Ellis (26) of Colby, Matt Ellis (24) and wife Athena of Heidelberg Germany, and Macy Ellis (16) of Colby. Their great-grandchildren are Jordin (4) and Jace (8 months) Myers, Trippton Anderson (21 months), April Ellis (3) and Layla Lundgren (17 months). Other surviving members include his two sisters, Mary Ann and Marwan Nahas of Wichita, and Cecilia and Homer Edwards of Ellis. He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph D. Burns and Barbara Augustine-Burns-Cameron. Ralph attended St. Mary's Grade School serving as an Altar Boy and then he went to Ellis High School until 1961 when he joined the United Stated Navy. He served in the Vietnam War and was assigned to the USS Impervious for the length of his duty. Upon returning he began working for the City of Hays in 1965 and with the City of Hays Fire Department in 1966. He served as a firefighter and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1972. Ralph was diagnosed with cancer in 1991 and left the fire department on disability in 1996. He retired from the City of Hays Fire Department on December 1, 2008. Ralph's hobbies and interest include reading and collecting first edition history books, researching his family's genealogy, hunting, trapping, fishing, traveling, skiing, visiting with friends and spending time with family. Ralph had a great love for Santa Claus and loved to help support the spirit of Christmas. He was especially proud of his collection of antique Santa postcards. Ralph was a lifetime member and past Post Commander of the Ellis VFW. He was a lifetime member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Ellis County Historical Society and the Ellis Bukovina Society. Ralph was a member of the Maryland Order of Founders and Patriots of America, Third and Fourth Degree of Knights of Columbus, the Wakeeney Eagles Chapter, several historical societies and St. Mary's Church in Ellis. Burial with military honors by the Ellis VFW will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ellis. A memorial has been established in Ralph's name for donations to help fund the building of the City of Hays Fire Museum and can be sent in care of the funeral home.











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