Burns, Charles
10-21-2021
Charles Arch Burns, 91, was born to Herber V. Burns and Gladys Lehr in Mooreland, OK, on December 19, 1929, and passed away on October 21, 2021, in Stillwater, OK. Charles and E. Jean Eilers were married on January 28, 1951. To this union, three children were born: Doug, Deborah, and Taylor. Charles graduated from Mooreland High School and subsequently earned the following three degrees at Oklahoma State: The bachelor's degree in animal husbandry in 1951, the master's degree in rural adult education in 1963, and the doctorate in education in 1966. He served in the US Army from August, 1951, until his discharge in 1953. Nearly one year of his time in the Army was spent in Korea where he earned the Korean Service Medal and with two bronze service stars, a combat infantry badge, and a U.N. Service Medal. Charles' life was filled with public service, beginning as an infantry platoon leader in the US Army when he was stationed in Korea. He began his civilian life as a 4-H agent in Kiowa County, OK. In 1957, he became the OSU extension director of Roger Mills County, Oklahoma. Following the receipt of his doctoral degree, he resumed his OSU career as extension director in Garfield County. He also served as district director of the Southeast OSU Extension District, district director of the OSU Tulsa Extension District, and as an OSU rural develpment specialist. He was also secretary/treasurer and later president of the nationwide Community Development Society. Charles retired in 1985. He had a prominent role in establishing the Center for Local Government Technology at OSU. Charles was prededed in death by his parents; sister, Helen Gray; stepbrother, William Young; and his step mother, Mabelle Burns. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and his three children: Doug (Nickie), Deborah (Larry Cochran), and Taylor (Lou Ann). He is also survived by several grand children and great-grand children.