OCT
19.
11:00
AM (EDT)
Chapel at Reformed Theological Seminary
1231 Reformation Dr
Oviedo, FL, 32765
Obituary for Paul 'Rick' Burns
Paul (Rick) Burns, 62, of Oviedo, Florida, peacefully entered eternal rest with family by his side Thursday afternoon, September 26th, after a valiant battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He was born in Oneida, Kentucky on April 4, 1957 to Coy Burns and Ruth (Allen) Burns and is joining both parents and oldest brother, Coy Darrell Burns in Heaven. Rick is survived by his loving wife Jolene, his devoted daughter Chelse', step-son Aaron, brother Randy and his wife Bonnie, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
After graduating from the Oneida Baptist Institute in Kentucky, Rick Burns moved to Florida to begin his surveying career and has spent his last 30 years as a Professional Surveyor and Mapper. He set up his own successful business, Land-Tech Surveying & Mapping Corp in 1990. As Past President of the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society, he was recipient of the "President's Award", "Surveyor of the Year" and numerous "Exceptional Service" awards.
Rick Burns was known as an "Oviedo Hometown Hero", being very much involved with earlier development of the city it is today. He invested countless hours in its civic activities; Oviedo Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, and Oviedo Optimist Club to name a few. Rick demonstrated what a true community servant should be. Rumor has it that he is the one mainly responsible for today's generation of the "Oviedo Chickens" that run freely around the streets of Old Downtown.
After marrying the love of his life Jolene in 2004, together they delved into a passion of theirs; their own marriage ministry. They have encouraged countless couples to strengthen and renew their marriages by placing God front and center in their relationships. As active members of Oviedo City Church (Northland Oviedo Campus), both Rick and Jolene have faithfully served our Savior. Rick would most desire for everyone to know his faith in our Lord and he shared it freely to anyone listening.
Rick demonstrated his faith bravely while suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) these past 12 months. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in him eventually caused him to lose the ability to move, speak, eat and breathe. But through it all he remained anchored in the hope of eternal life, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.
A short while ago, he shared the struggles he was already facing and what he knew was yet to come. With a smile on his face that he was so well known for, he shared with confidence that he knew God had a perfect plan in all of this and he was soaking up the whole experience, good moments and tough ones.
Even as we miss Rick, we can celebrate his life well lived. He is fully healed of his affliction and has been welcomed into the arms of Jesus with the words, "Well done good and faithful servant."
Praise be to God!
