Elton Burns

Elton Andrew Burns was born on December 9, 1924 to Robert and Minnie Burns in Granger, Texas. He went to be with his Lord on December 13, 2015 at the age of 91 years and 4 days.
Elton grew up in Bell County and lived on the family farm until he entered the US Army. He served in WWII with the Airborne Tank Battalion. After the war ended, he went to the University of Texas Pharmacy School on the GI bill. He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Sadler, on July 7, 1951 in Corpus Christi, Texas. During the Korean Conflict, Elton was recalled into active duty and deployed to Japan as a medic. He served as Pharmacy Officer at the Tokyo Army Hospital. After returning to the states, Elton and Mary made their home in Corpus Christi where he began his pharmacy career. During their time in Corpus, Elton and Mary were blessed with their two oldest children, Andy and Margie. After leaving Corpus Christi, they lived and worked in several communities including Georgetown, Belton, Austin, and Cuero. While living in Georgetown, they were again blessed with a child, daughter Barbara.
In the summer of 1962, Elton and his family moved to Sabinal. He bought the local drug store, renaming it Burns Pharmacy. He served as the town's only pharmacist until he retired at the age of 75. Elton gave a lot of people in Sabinal their first job working in the drug store. Many of his grandchildren also got their first job experience working in the store during the summer. Their grandpa taught them how to stock shelves, keep the store clean, be courteous to customers, and how to count back change without a calculator. Most of all, he instilled a strong work ethic in his children and grandchildren.
Elton loved Sabinal, Texas. He served as Mayor for several years. He was on the City Counsel, member and President of the School Board, and a member of the Lions Club. Elton loved God, and was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He taught his children to also love God, and to treat all people with kindness and understanding.
Elton was an avid Texas Longhorn fan. HOOK ‘EM! He began going to the Texas football games while he was in high school in Georgetown. He would attend as many as three football games each weekend. As a member of the Georgetown High School band, he attended the local Friday night game. Then Saturday afternoon, he would go to Austin and watch UT play. Then he would return to Georgetown and go to the Southwestern game that night. As long as they lived in Sabinal, Elton and Mary rarely missed a Jackets game. Elton was such a fan he would never leave a game until the clock ran out, no matter the weather, the score, or how sick he was.
Elton is now in heaven with Mary, his beloved wife of 64 years. He is survived by a son, Andy Burns and wife Pat; daughter Margie Hithersay and husband Stan; daughter Barbara Howse and husband Greg. Other survivors include 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; Suzanne Bushell and husband Chris; Mary Jeffers and husband Tommy, sons Evan and Keegan; Thomas Burns and wife Ashley, children Brylen and Asa; Jason Hithersay and wife Anna, sons Nathan and Elijah; Brian Hithersay and wife Abigail, son Gideon; Leslie Beatty and husband Darren; Carisa Copeland and husband Josh, and son Carter.
Services, and a celebration of Elton's life will be at the First Baptist Church in Sabinal, Texas; Friday, December 18th at 1:00PM. Burial will follow in Sabinal Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Peterson Hospice nurses and staff, and Riverpoint nurses and staff for the outstanding attention and care they provided.

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