William "Curtis" Burns

William “Curtis” Burns passed away in the early hours of August 24, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family after his hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Demorest, Georgia, to William “Oscar” and Vernia (Davis) Burns on January 5, 1955.

Curtis grew up on Ansley Road with his two siblings, Alvin and Patricia.  His playground was much bigger than his family home. Many of his cousins, and even his grandparents, lived along the same hillside. He attended Hazel Grove Elementary School and Habersham Central High School. Some of his fondest memories were jumping from barn lofts, sledding on old car hoods, and watching wrestle mania with “Wadie Boy.”  When his father brought home their first television, they were glued to shows like “Gun Smoke” and “Bonanza.” Curtis never lost his love for westerns. Up until the end, he watched every episode and movie on repeat as if he’d never seen it before.

Curtis’ love of animals led him to his first job with Veterinarian Dr. Larry Demore. After this he began a 37-year career with Northeast Sales Distributing, where he became a mentor to many young men to help them grow personally and professionally.

On December 22, 1984, he married his best friend and soulmate, Lorrie. Words cannot translate the deep, tender way he loved her. Together they created a family of four children, ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three bonus sons: Jeff Kinney, Shawn Tumlin and Michael Morris. Their home on Ponderosa Farm Road was built brick by brick with Curtis’ hands alongside many of his closest friends and truck loads of Dairy Mart cheeseburgers ‘all the way.’ Away from the fast pace of life and within the dense tree line is where he loved to be. The home where he raised his children Lee, Mary Beth, Lamar and Alicia. The home where he hosted a yearly fish fry with his long-time friend Joe Diviney, planted many gardens, tinkered around in the shop, and of course relaxed in his recliner.

He retired in 2016 but couldn’t abandon his self-motivating desire to provide the best life for his family. He, along with his wife Lorrie, created a successful powder coating and furniture company, Outdoor Furniture Solutions.

Curtis always made deep, meaningful connections. He could go anywhere and know a friend. Throughout the years he became known as “the unofficial mayor of Helen.” His love of golf, NASCAR, baseball, football, hunting, and fishing created a network of buddies who are also Curtis’ family. He truly loved each of them- and if you knew him, you knew it.

Curtis embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength in character, unafraid to put in a hard day’s work, and unending generosity to anyone in need. He was a simple man. A man of tradition who belonged to an era where the seriousness of a man’s handshake was sewn into the fabric of the pants he put on every day. A man who loved his wife and family. A man who never asked too much of the world but gave everything he had for it. His departure comes as a great sadness felt by his entire family and countless others who love him within his wide network of friends.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lorrie Parham Burns; his children, Curtis Lee Burns (Allison Farlow), Mary Beth (Corey) Byrd, Lamar Gerrells, and Alicia Hamilton; his grandchildren, Haley Webb, Connor Free, Charles Parr, Bailey Gerrells, William Burns, Fletcher (Evans) Burns, Silas Byrd, Maeven Byrd, Lilah Byrd; his great grandson, Zayven Rodriguez;  his brother, Alvin (Sheena) Burns; his sister, Patricia Burns; his numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and grandson Lyndon Byrd.

The family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2024 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. After the service, there will be a procession to the lake/pond for a dove release.

In place of flowers, please make donations in his name to https://pancan.org which is an organization for research and advocating for patients of pancreatic cancer.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Rd., Gainesville, Ga. 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

To send online condolences please go to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com