Bobbie Blaine Burns

April 20, 1928 - August 7, 2018

BURNS, Bobbie Blaine 90, of Sun City Center passed away August 7, 2018 in Tampa. Bob was born in Danville WV in April 1928 to A.A. Burns and Violet Davis. He was a loving husband, father, step father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. Bob’s smile warmed many lives. Bob was pre-deceased by his cherished wife of 30 years Florence (Flo) and a son, Kevin Burns. Also pre-deceased was a brother, Guy C. Burns of Ocala and a sister Almeda Saunders of Palm Harbor. Bob is survived by son David Burns of Floral City, step-daughter Teresa (Dr. David) Jones of St. Petersburg , daughter-in-law Joy Burns of Spring TX; Four grandsons – Jeremy Jones, Christian Jones, Joe (Stephanie) Burns, Devon McGaha and one great-grandson, Izac Burns. Bob also leaves behind sister-in-law Glennie Burns and nephew Shane Saunders. And he loved his grand-dog Opie. Bob grew up in WV. He starred on the Scott High School football team, earning the nickname “one-point” for his ability to score extra points. At graduation he was invited to try out for football at the University of Tennessee. After attending Marshall University Bob joined Owens-Illinois in Huntington WV as a mold repair machinist. This began a career that lasted over 40 years. Bob worked for Owens and Thatcher Glass in Huntington WV, Atlanta GA, Tampa and Lakeland. During the Korean conflict, Bob served briefly in the US Army. A heart murmur caused an early medical discharge, with the prediction that he only had a short time to live! Afterwards he returned to work at O-I. In 1961 Bob moved his family to Tampa. He was active in his children’s activities, including coaching little league baseball and the Boy Scouts. He liked to drive the boat while the family water-skied. Bob also loved bowling and played softball on the Thatcher Glass team. In the early 1990’s, Bob and Flo retired to Inverness, FL. Bob enjoyed spending time with Flo, his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed boating and working in the yard. Bob volunteered at Citrus Memorial Hospital and with Meals-on-Wheels. Bob and Flo loved dancing and often danced at the Elks Club. In 2010 they moved to Sun City Center, FL. Bob will be interred beside Flo at the Bay Pines Veteran’s Cemetery in St. Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the American Lung Association.