Dale Cortez Burns, 74 years old, of Pampa, is no longer fighting the aftermath of Agent Orange exposure. With loved ones at his side, he took his last breath on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, while peacefully resting at his own home. He was born on September 23, 1946, to Albert and Lucille Burns in Pampa, Texas.
Being born and raised in Pampa, Dale was a lifelong resident other than the three years he spent in Vietnam while serving in the US Army. On February 25, 1977, he married the love of his life, Marie Thomas and experienced 44 years together as one. Dale had been a machine operator for Panhandle Industrial for numerous years before eventually retiring from Exterran at the age of 62.
To simply state Dale loved hot rods would be a huge understatement – his life practically revolved around them. He owned hot rods (most recently his ’78 Chevy Rally Sport Nova), he entered them into car shows and attended car shows even when he didn’t enter his own cars. He was a member of the National Street Rod Association (NSRA) as well as the Slo-Poke Car Club and the local VFW Post #1657. He enjoyed cooking BBQ and had several rib cooking competition trophies he’d won.
Dale was very family oriented as they were his number one priority. Vacations were either camping at Lake Greenbelt or traveling to car shows, but nonetheless, it was family time. On the one hand, Dale was a bit of a clown, a jokester, often times ornery and quite hardheaded, but he was a true friend, he was a very dependable friend, and he will be missed by many.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; numerous brothers-in-law and unfortunately, his sister, Delphia Biggers only the day before his passing.
Those who remain here to remember his mischievousness are his loving wife, Marie Burns; his only daughter and the apple of his eye, Ashleigh Hayden and husband Aaron all of Pampa; four sisters, Bobbie Ehmann of Miami, Texas, Joan Nail of Pampa, Orna Faye Davis and husband Jerry of Sweetwater, Oklahoma, Peggy Summers of Pampa; three grandchildren, Austin Hayden and wife Morgan, Alexis Hayden, Addisyn Hayden and a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Celebration of Life Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 5, 2021, at The Carpenter’s Church, 639 Barnes Street, with Brother Jim Sinyard officiating. He will receive military honors. The family has entrusted the cremation care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
Per the family’s request, memorials may be made to the Amarillo VA Healthcare System, 6010 W. Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106 or the Make A Wish Foundation of Amarillo, 2607 Woflin Avenue PMB #292, Amarillo, TX 79109 in honor of Dale.
Dales’ family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Interim Hospice Nursing staff for the care given to him during the final hours of our precious loved one’s life.
To leave condolences and words of encouragement for the family on Dale’s Book of Memories, please visit www.winegeartfuneral.com.
