Charles F Burns

Charles F. Burns, 83, formerly of Cedar Rapids, IA, most recently of Punta Gorda, FL, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the Port Charlotte Rehabilitation Center. Charles (Charlie) was born in Cedar Rapids, November 14, 1940, the oldest son of Robert and Velda (Pickerill) Burns. He married Mary Huggans on October 17, 1964, at First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. Charlie graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in 1960. He owned his own siding company for many years before retiring to Florida in 2013. He was a Boy Scout Leader, involved with Soap Box Derby, active with the Cedar Rapids Student-Built House construction trades program, and known as the 8-foot-tall Uncle Sam in Cedar Rapids. Charlie also enjoyed photography and computers. Survivors include Mary, his wife of 59 years, of Punta Gorda, FL; his two children, Cheryl of Cedar Rapids, Charles R (Leah) of Marion, grandson Casey of Marion, granddaughter Chelsea of Arizona, and two great-grandchildren, Rylon and Jairus both of Arizona; siblings Wanda Moss of McHenry, IL, LaVern Burns of Cedar Rapids, Lexy Lou Hultman of Watkins, Janel Kramer of Marion, and Roland Burns of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his oldest sister, Soleta Darrow, and nieces and nephews Megan Burns, Steven Moss, Barton Burns, and Deborah Gudgeon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.