Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

BURNS, Lawrence F., 71, a resident of Bowie, MD since 1979, died December 31 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis MD.
 
He was born July 28, 1942 in Cumberland, MD to Virgil P. and Caroline Trozzo Burns. Upon his family's move to West Virginia in 1956, he attended Charles Town High School in Jefferson County, where he was quarterback on the school's only undefeated football team. He received a full tuition athletic scholarship to Miami University, Miami, FL. Upon graduation in 1964 he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army, Field Artillery, thru the ROTC program. For the next eleven years he served multiple stateside assignments at Ft. Hood, TX; Ft. Meade, MD; Ft. Sill, OK; Ft. Bragg, NC. He also served two tours of duty in South Vietnam in 1965 as a forward observer and in 1969 as a senior advisor to the ARVN 46th Artillery Battalion. During the latter, he received the Bronze Star with valor device, the Air Medal with valor device, and the Army Commendation Medal.
 
Stateside in 1970, he joined the faculty at the University of Richmond, VA as a professor of military science and completed his M.A. in education in 1973. His last military assignment was a two year tour of duty as a battery commander, 2nd Bn 83rd FA, 41st Field Artillery Group in Babenhausen, West Germany. While still in country, he accepted a civil service position as Education Specialist with the Department of Army Europe. From 1975-1979 he was assigned to Hanau and Frankfurt Army Education Centers respectively. Happily situated in non-government quarters, he enrolled his daughter in a German kindergarten while his wife went to work in the library on the Kaserne. Fully immersed in civilian life, he found time to be an assistant coach to the Hanau High School football team which coincidently just happened to be having an undefeated year.
 
Returning to the states in 1979, he continued his career as Education Specialist with the Department of the Navy reporting directly to the Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District Washington, and later to the Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. 

A full and active life followed retirement in 2000. Larry was an excellent cook, an avid sports enthusiast and competitive golfer. He enjoyed his role as man around the house and spent much of his retirement years collecting trains, Toby mugs and art to decorate the home place.
 
With the birth of his first grandson in 2006, he became a doting "nanny" making
 sure the wants and needs of his pride and joy were met. In 2009 with the 
arrival of his second grandson, he became "spoiler-in-chief."
 

Larry is survived by his wife of 45 years, Elizabeth Saville Burns, formerly of Charles Town, WV, one daughter Mary Alison Burns and her husband Steve Crimaudo of Riva, MD, and two grandsons, James Crimaudo, 7, and Leo Crimaudo, 4. Also surviving are his brother, Kenneth Eugene Burns and his wife, Tina of Ranson, WV and his sister, Patty Jean Burns Kennedy and husband John of Nashville, NC and their children, nephews Matthew Burns and David Kennedy and niece, Julie Kennedy Whetzel.
 
A memorial mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church located at 826 West Central Ave, Davidsonville MD 21035 on January 11, 2014 at 10:15 AM with Father Andy Aaron officiating. A reception will follow the service at Renditions Golf Course, 1380 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, from 11:30AM-2:00PM.
 

If desired, memorial donations can be made to the Charles Town High School Alumni Fund/Scholarship; attention Louise W. Price, 2997 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA 22602.

Lawrence Burns

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