Obituary of Vernon Lee Burns

On Monday, October 25, 2021, our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Vernon Lee Burns, of Port Charlotte, Florida, and former longtime resident of Flint, Michigan, passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 86. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years Jeanne Burns (Quinn); siblings Ann (Claude), Claudia, Peggy, and Robert (Debbie); children Charles (Toni), Vernon (Marci), Robert (Jolene), and Richard; grandchildren Josh (Kathy), Amanda (Drew), Ashley (Brian), Garrett (Justine), Zackory (Kevin), Benjamin (Stephanie), and Cory (Drew); four great-grandchildren (Caleb, Harper, Porter, and Hunter); three step-children (Lisa, Shelly, and Kelly); four step-grandchildren (Haylee, Lauren, Hannah, and Daria); and numerous other family members and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Lee Burns and Veta Mae Miller (Totherow); his brother, Thomas Lawrence; and brother-in-laws Buddy and Ronnie. Vernon was born in Elijay, Georgia, on October 24, 1935. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Airforce and was stationed in Oscoda, Michigan. After his service, Vernon was hired into General Motors and eventually became the United Auto Workers Local 659's President where he worked for 48 years. Vernon was elected to the Flint Township Board of Trustees where he also served as the Police Commissioner for many years. He also co-founded and served on the Board of Directors for Health Plus of Michigan. A private service will be held at the family's request. Memorial donations may be made in Vernon Lee Burns's memory to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project. The family wishes to send a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and the Massachusetts General Hospital for their care and compassion. You may share a memory at www.englewoodfh.com