Joseph “Joe” Thomas Burns

Joseph Thomas Burns

April 11, 1944 - Aug. 3, 2021

McCOOK, Neb. — Joseph Thomas Burns, loving husband and father of three children, departed this world on Aug. 3, 2021, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Joe was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on April 11, 1944, to Tommy and Betty Burns. Soon after, they would move to McCook, Neb., to raise Joe and his three siblings. He attended McCook High School, where he was on both the track and field team, as well as being a member of the undefeated 1960 McCook Bison football team that was later inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. Joe graduated in 1962 and joined the United States Navy in 1963.

Joe was married young in 1965-69 to Mary Nutt and they were blessed with one child, Johnny. On Dec. 30, 1970, Joe married Linda Selfridge and they raised three children, April, Robin and Tom in Norfolk, Va. Joe retired from the Navy in 1987 AZC Chief Petty Officer after a 24-year career and began his civilian life as a district manager for the Virginian Pilot newspaper. In 1991, Joe returned to his roots in McCook, Neb.

From 1991 to 1993, Joe worked for the McCook YMCA. In 1993, Joe met Loretta Minard and together they worked for the Omaha World Herald as the Southwest Nebraska area manager until 2001. They wed on Nov. 3, 2008, and spent their retirement providing affordable housing in the McCook area.

Joe was an avid Huskers fan and enjoyed attending football games at Memorial Stadium. He was an animal lover that greatly enjoyed the company of his dogs, Ozzie and Zoey. Joe found his happy place in his boat, at the lake or anywhere a fishing pole was involved.

Joseph Thomas Burns was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice (Betty) Burns and his father, Tommy Burns.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta; three children, April Burns-Archer and husband, Jerry of Greeneville, Tenn., Tom Burns and wife, Regina Burns of McCook, and Robin Burns of Greeneville, Tenn.; three step-children, Rusty and wife, Penny Minard of Bartley, Neb., Shelly Sundell and husband, Rick Sundell of Benkleman, Neb., and David Minard and special friend, Lena Reynolds of Indianola, Neb. He is also survived by his three siblings, Pat Burns and special friend, Vera Hansen, Cheryl Hamrick and husband, Joe, and Bob Burns and wife, Geri Burns, all of McCook. With a host of 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, he was surrounded by love and family who will miss him.

Visitation, with family present to greet friends, will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Recitation of the Rosary will follow visitation, beginning at 7 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021, also at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Father Gary Brethour as celebrant.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Private family burial to be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, P.O. Box 13, McCook, NE 69001.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, McCook, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the family.