Donald E. Burns, 79, of Merritt Island, Florida, husband of Sonja K. Burns, passed away Friday, April 6, 2012, at his home. Born December 31, 1932, in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Dennis Clay and Carrie Cartee Burns. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Elbert, Bill, Frank, Paul, and Thomas Burns. In addition to his wife Sonja, whom he wed in Germany on February 16, 1956, he is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Marion and Michael Studer of Lacey-s Spring, Alabama; two grandchildren, Hope Marie Dunlap and and Karrie Crews; and three great grandchildren, Austin Blake Crews, Constance Lynn Studer, and Brandon James Dunlap. Other survivors include one brother, John Burns of Merritt Island, Florida; two sisters, Opal Calhoun of Grayson, Kentucky, and Shirley Baldridge of Clearfield, Kentucky; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Burns completed a 30-year career in the military in 1981 after serving 15 years in the Air Force and retiring from the Army as a CW4. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army of Occupation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Campaign Medal, 3 Oversea Bars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Meritorious Service Medal (2d Oak Leaf Cluster). Following his retirement from the military, Don joined Pan Am World Services, Inc., in Martinez, Georgia. He was promoted to Manager, Proposal Development, Base Support Division (BSD) in 1985 and was primarily responsible for all phases of marketing and proposal development for base support service contracts until his retirement in 1994. Following his retirement from Johnson Controls (formerly Pan Am), he started his own business, Burns Consulting Service (Logistics for the Future). Don graduated from Morehead High School and received his B. A. Degree in Education from The State University of New York. He also completed graduate college courses and professional training relevant to his various careers. Visitation: Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 3 p.m., Northcutt & Son Funeral: Thursday, April 12, 2012, at 4 p.m., Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens