Dunning John Burns

Dunning John (“D.J.”) Burns of Escondido, California passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on February 27, 2024, at the age of 84. He was born on April 27, 1939, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, where he grew up.

D.J. enlisted into the U.S. Navy at age 17 and met his wife, Yuko Burns (née Nakamura), while stationed in Japan. They married in 1961. D.J. served honorably in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1987. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, D.J. worked for 20 years as a telecommunications technician for Pacific Bell.

Among D.J.’s loves were reading, the great outdoors and rock collecting. He loved to travel to national parks with Yuko and spent countless hours with his extended family in San Diego County.

D.J. is preceded in death by his father, Herman Burns; his mother, Ruth Burns (née Dunning); his brothers Malcolm “Kent” Burns and James “Jimmy” Burns; and his sister Janice Roberts (née Burns).

D.J. is survived by his beloved wife Yuko; son, Paul Burns; daughter, Catherine Lillard (née Burns); daughter, Monica Osterloh (née Burns), granddaughters Melodie Henderson and Meagan Wahoff; grandsons Darrik Burns, Kade Burns, Justin Lillard and Alexander Wahoff; great-grandson Joshua Bañuelos; brothers Hugh Burns, William “Billy” Burns and Herman Burns, Jr.; sisters Eleanor Perkins (née Burns), Ruth Reed (née Burns), Muriel “Mimi” Silliau (née Burns) and Mary Ann Burns.

Family and friends are invited to attend a brief memorial service at Miramar National Cemetery located at 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA on March 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.