Raymond L. Burns

Raymond L. Burns Ph. D., 82, Topeka, formerly of Valley Falls, KS, died January 18, 2014, at his home from complications of pulmonary hypertension. He was born on June 14, 1931, in the farm home North of Perry, KS. He was the second of the eleven children of James J. and Bertha Amelia Wenzl Burns. The family moved to a farm East of Valley Falls in 1934. He attended St. Mary's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Valley Falls High School. He married Agnes Rose Hambach on September 8, 1956, at St. Patrick's Church in Jonesburg, Missouri. Agnes was the daughter of William and Rose Beller Hambach of Warrenton, Missouri. They had four children; Kim Valarie Burns (Sonoma, CA), Shawn William Burns (Topeka, KS), Erin Arlene Burns (Emporia, KS) and Maura Rose Burns Goldberg (Henderson, NV). They have six Grandchildren: Isaac and Amelia Burns (Topeka, KS), Jared Krause (Prairie Village, KS), Derek and Megan Krause (Emporia, KS) and Jothan Wilson (Charlotte, NC). Ray graduated from Kansas State University in 1953 with a BS degree in Agriculture. He was a member of the K-State Freshman football squad, He joined the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and was the House Manager for two years and Chapter President one year. He was a member of the K-State Junior and Senior Collegiate Livestock Judging Team which placed first in the American Royal and Fort Worth Collegiate Contests and third at the International Livestock Show Contest in Chicago. He was an involved member of the K-State Catholic Newman Club and was a delegate to the National Newman Club Meeting as a senior. He received a Union Pacific Scholarship to attend his first four semesters at K-State. At $50 per semester that assistance may seem small; however, it was huge as it covered the expense of tuition and books for the Freshman and Sophomore school years. Ray began work at the K-State farms during his Freshman year and continued into his Junior year. Dr. Rufus Cox, Head of the Animal Husbandry Department, learned that if there was student work at odd hours (mid wife nighttime farrowing at the swine farm), or hard or dirty work, Ray would not turn it down. He also worked at the Agricultural Economics Department tabulating Farm Management Record Books of participating Kansas farmers. This experience gave an insight into why some producers are more financially successful than others. Upon college graduation, Ray became employed as the herdsman for Anheauser Aberdeen Angus Ranch at Jonesburg, Missouri. He fitted and showed the AAA Ranch cattle at the major Livestock Expositions throughout the US during his first employment following college. Ray was enrolled in ROTC at K-State and was commissioned as an officer in the US Air Force on May 24, 1953. He was called to active duty January 2, 1954, and assigned to training as an Intercept Aircraft Controller at Tyndall AFB, Florida. He was then assigned to Japan's Air Defense Command during the Korean Conflict era with duty at radar sites in Akita Prefecture on Honshu Island. Upon return to civilian status (December 8, 1955), Dr. Cox at K-State encouraged Ray to accept an appointment at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. This was a teaching/research position with the University's registered beef herd and show cattle unit. A bonus was that he could enroll in Purdue's Graduate School and take six credit hours per semester toward advanced degrees. He had been separated from active duty on December 8, 1955, at Parks Air Base (CA) and began the Purdue assignment on February 1, 1956. Ray received a Master's Degree (1958) and a Doctorate in Animal Genetics (1962) from Purdue and then moved to Kansas City. He first managed the Staley Angus Farm cattle breeding herd and within two years the herd attained the nations Sire-of-Year status. He also served as the Livestock Manager of Kansas City’s American Royal Livestock show for three years. In 1965, Burns-Agri Management was founded for registered Angus breeders to manage their investments and to utilize the science of genetics in the development of their herds. Ray later bought the family farm where he grew up in Valley Falls. He was a fourth generation farmer-stockman on the family farm. He raised Angus cattle and farmed the land, and raised his four children there. Ray also worked in the marketing division of the Ks State Board of Agriculture. In 2008, Ray and Agnes moved to Topeka, KS and made their home near Christ the King parish, where he often enjoyed daily mass and coffee with friends. Ray was a member of the Knights of Columbus since he was in college, and just celebrated his 25th year of his Fourth Degree, with an honorary life membership with the Knights of Columbus Council 6671 in Valley Falls. Ray was a member of VFW, Post 3084 in Valley Falls. Ray was active in church activities, he was a Hospice volunteer, and continued to enjoy his involvement in politics. Ray enjoyed keeping in touch with his grandchildren and attending their activities. Ray and Agnes renewed their wedding vows in the church they were married for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006. Raymond is survived by his wife, Agnes, his four children and six grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Paul (spouse Mary Jane) of Valley Falls, Phil (Shirley) of Nebraska, Tom (Peggy) of Topeka, and sisters Ruth (Charles) Langen of Washington, Mary (John) Triggs of Topeka, Alice Edmonds of Manhattan, Margaret (Quentin)Dawson of Louisiana, and Rita Burns of Texas. Ray was preceded in death by his brothers Pat (Marilyn)Burns and Terry Burns. Ray was a positive husband, father, grandfather, friend, and role model and he will be greatly missed. Memorial contributions may be made to St Mary's Immaculate Conception Church, 902 5th Street Valley Falls, KS 66088, and Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street Topeka, KS 66614. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. with Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish road Topeka. Mass of resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior

Raymond L. Burns

June 14, 1931 - January 21, 2014