John Jay "JJ" Burns

John Jay “J.J.” Burns, 54, of Abilene, TX, formerly of Baird, TX passed away on September 23, 2021, in Abilene with his two beloved dogs, Zaley and Zephara by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. with Dr. Jeff Reid of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church officiating, followed by a private family burial.

John was born in Abilene, TX to Bufford Wayland “Bo” Burns and Verna Mae (Tarrant) Burns on June 29, 1967.  John met the Lord and was baptized at an early age.  He worked as a firefighter for the Abilene Fire Department for 18 years until he was injured in the line of duty carrying a man down several flights of stairs during a fire, confining him to a bed and wheelchair since then.

John was preceded in death by his Brother Boyd Burns in May of 2010, and Father Bufford Burns in May of 2012.

John is survived by his mother Verna Mae Burns of Abilene, and a long-time best friend and brother Richard Swan of Baird, as well as two nieces and two great nieces, and many loved ones and friends.