James Burns

Longtime teacher James Burns, age 91, of Lynden, peacefully graduated to be with his Lord and Savior Christ Jesus on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.
  He was born on Sept. 19, 1924 to parents Alexander and Gertrude Burns in Lynden. James graduated from Lynden High School in 1942, then attended Washington State University from 1942 to 1943 and was a member of the R.O.T.C. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 and was stationed in Europe and Asia. He went back and received his master’s degree from Western Washington State College with a teaching degree in industrial arts. James spent three years as a teacher in the Langley (Washington) School District, then went on to teach at his alma mater, Lynden High School, where he retired in 1985. His first wife, Thela, passed that same year.
  James married Wanda Lopatynsky on July 26, 1986, in Bellingham. They attended Word of Life Church in Lynden.
  He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Wanda; son Kenneth (Connie) Burns; stepdaughters Deborah (Roly) Tremblay and Jeannie Lopatynsky Garver; sisters-in-law Jeanne and Chris; grandchildren Jason (Sarah) Burns, Christina (Bob) Dupas, Lynnette Steves and Angela (Blaine) Letendre; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
  James was preceded in death by stepson Robert Baschak in 2000 and brothers Robert Burns and David Burns.
  A graveside service with military honors was held on Monday, Sept. 12, at Lynden Cemetery with Pastor Jeremy Pickens from Good Shepherd Community Church officiating.
  You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
  Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.