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Light a Candle
Retired Army Lt. Col. Timothy John Burns, 60, of Aiea, Hawaii, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with brain cancer on November 16, 2013. He was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, on August 2, 1953, and raised by parents, Frank and Guinevere Burns.
Burns retired from the US Army Reserves in September of 2011, with over 30 years of military service. He proudly served five overseas tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As a Counter-Intelligence Officer, he was acknowledged for his integral support in the capture of high-value individuals, and the security and stabilization of Iraq's infrastructure. A lifelong scholar, Burns continuously pursued advanced education. He earned a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of La Verne, and had nearly completed his Clinical Psychology Doctorate from Capella University. He was passionate about helping people, and throughout his career as a psychologist, he specialized in the treatment of substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. He was employed at Tripler Army Medical Center as a Federal Master Level Psychologist in the Addiction Recovery Ward for over 15 years. As the Army's Suicide Prevention Program Lead, he created and managed numerous health promotion and suicide prevention initiatives. One of his most notable contributions was a major revision and final publication of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan for the Army in 2011.
Burns was an avid outdoorsman, marksman, bodybuilder, and motorcycle enthusiast. He was proud of his Eagle Scout and Taekwondo Black Belt achievements. He left behind a legacy built on integrity, loyalty, patriotism for his country and love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Guinevere Burns. He is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Kimberly Burns; daughter, Samantha; son and daughter-in-law, Sebastian and Mailani; grandson, Kainoa Timothy; sister and brother-in-law, Colleen Wilson and Jim Long; sister Kathy Hill; and lifelong friend, Leo Winburn. Services will be held at 2:00pm at the National Memorial Cemetery-Pacific on November 21, 2013, followed by a reception at the Hale Koa Hotel.
Flowers and condolences can be sent for Timothy Burns Funeral Reception at the Hale Koa Hotel Laulima Rooms, or the Burns family at 99-404A Uhaloa St, Aiea, HI, 96701.
