April 20 Obituaries

Rodney Wayne Burns Sr.

Services: 1 p.m. Thursday at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Clovis.

Rodney Wayne Burns Sr., 69, of Clovis, died Monday, April 18, 2005, at the Retirement Ranch in Clovis.

He was born Feb. 9, 1936, in Clovis, to Matt and Elva Burns. He married Diane Curry Hays in 1983.

He graduated from Clovis High School in 1954 and was president of his graduating class. He was a member of the 1953 Wildcat state champion basketball team. He attended University of Arizona and Sul Ross University on a baseball scholarship. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in mathematics.

He was a semi-professional baseball player for the American Legion after college. He was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad as an engineer prior to serving as a State Farm Insurance Agent.

He coached youth football, basketball and baseball teams for many years. He was a member of the Optimist Club and a charter member of Kingswood United Methodist Church.

Family members said he was an avid golfer and supporter of the Clovis Wildcat teams.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Holland (Holly) Burns.

Survivors include his wife, Diane of Clovis; a son, Rod Burns (and his wife, Rebecca) of Lafayette, La.; a sister, Doris Burns of McKinney, Texas; a stepson, Marc Hays of Albuquerque; five grandchildren, Leah and Andrew Wormser of Lafayette, La., Kelsey, Haley and Tyler Hays of Albuquerque; a niece, Pam Mills of Allen, Texas; and one great-niece, Tawny Svihovec of Dallas.

Joseph Vest will officiate the services.

Burial will be at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are Harold Cornish, John Dickson, Matthew Glenn, Charles Guthals, Jack McNeill, Eddie Pullman, Mark Mitchell and Mike Mitchell.

Honorary Pallbearers are the Staff at the Retirement Ranch.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingswood United Methodist Church.

The family will be at 1400 Piedmont.

Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home of Clovis.