Joe Burns

Joe H. Burns, 84 of Wickenburg AZ October 25,1929 / March 30, 2014 After a short illness Joe passed away Sunday March 30 2014. He was married to his wife Barbara for 64 years. Joe went to the University of Idaho and joined the USAF after graduation in 1952. He completed pilot training school 1958. He flew for MAC (Military Air Command) in Germany transporting injured soldiers from the Middle East and North Africa back to Germany. In 1968 he flew as a forward spotter for the Air Force over North Vietnam and Laos while stationed in Thailand. He returned to California at Norton AFB flying for the Inspector General Service. He retired after 25 years and attained the rank of full Colonel. The subsequent 40 years he enjoyed back-country camping and horse-packing, where he earned the nickname Cookie Joe as camp chef and bartender. He and Barbara enjoyed traveling extensively. Joe and Barbara settled in Wickenburg, AZ in the 1990's. He became a docent at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum and was instrumental in building many of the displays. Joe loved reading and helped out at the library when needed. Joe and Barbara also attended many concerts at the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts. Joe liked Western paintings and anything that had to do with the Old West. The last few years he has enjoyed living at "My Fathers Retirement Ranch". Joe is survived by his wife Barbara. He will be missed by his children: Terry Jo (Bob Patterson) Burns, Bruce (Susan DeWitt) Burns, and Susan Burns Barber, and by grandchildren Kyle Barber, Christopher Burns, Kevin Barber, Melissa Burns-Price and Todd Burns. He leaves 2 great grand children and 2 on the way. Joe will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. Decisions around services are pending and in lieu of flowers , please direct all memorial gifts, in his name, to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum at 21 N. Frontier St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390.