Jan. 9, 1946 – Aug. 2, 2024
Randolph “Randy” K. Burns, 78, of Fredonia, Kan., passed away Aug. 2, 2024, after a short illness. He died at Morningstar Care Home in Fredonia with his family by his side.
Randy was born Jan. 9, 1946, in Neodesha to Francis A. Burns and Treva Alice (Lee) Burns. He married the love of his life, Nancy Smith, on Aug. 20, 1966, in Neodesha.
Randy devoted an impressive 39 years of his life to educating young minds, beginning with teaching two years at Southeast of Saline High School in Assaria, Kan., and the remaining 37 years at Fredonia High School.
Randy graduated from Neodesha High School in 1964 before earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia in 1968. He obtained a Master of Science degree from the same institution in 1971.
Randy’s hobbies included building and enjoying custom and classic cars and attending car shows with friends. He also enjoyed collecting and listening to music; dancing; traveling; and sharing local history with others. Some of his most cherished memories from his youth were attending Boys State and participating in a national Boy Scout Jamboree. He greatly enjoyed taking students to Close Up Kansas and Close Up Washington, D.C.
Known for his wit, humor and unwavering passion for education, Randy was not only a beloved teacher but also a loving husband to Nancy; a devoted father to two children, Roger Burns (Corina Stoicescu) of Sebastopol, Calif., and Sherri Strawn (Jim) of Derby, Kan. He also was devoted to grandchildren Reed Strawn, Jessica Gable (Josh), and Gavin Strawn; and sister-in-law Linda Burns of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Allen Burns.
Visitation was held Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at the Wickham Family Funeral Home in Fredonia. A Celebration of Life service was held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the First Christian Church in Fredonia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrance gifts are suggested for the Randolph K. Burns Scholarship Fund, Fredonia Education Foundation. They may be left at or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 510 N. 7th, Fredonia, Kan. 66736.
