Jeff Bourns, 93, of Independence, Missouri, passed away Monday, February 27, 2017 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4th at New Salem Funeral Home, Independence; burial with Military Honors in New Salem Cemetery, Independence. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Honor Flight Network of Kansas City, PO Box 46718, Kansas City, MO 64188.
Jeff was born November 16, 1923, in DeQueen, Arkansas, the son of Robert and Edna (Johnson) Bourns. He attended DeQueen High School, but graduated from Sunnyside High School in Washington. Jay served in the Navy as a Torpedoman and was stationed at Pearl Harbor in WWII. Upon his discharge, he came back to DeQueen and met the love of his life, Betty Jean Dale. They were able to celebrate 66 years of marriage. Jay earned his teaching degree and played football for CMSU. His first teaching job landed him in Blackburn, MO, teaching and coaching. He also taught in Malta Bend, and then on to the Kansas City Public School District as the Van Horn High School Industrial Arts teacher, and coached many sports teams. Jay retired from teaching in 1983, and earned his Master’s Degree in Greely, CO. He had many hobbies such as vegetable gardening, hunting and fishing, reading, and traveling in his later years. He spent many winters enjoying the Arizona sun. Jay was a member of Pleasant View Christian Church and American Legion Tirey J. Ford Post 21. He was known for his kindness and generosity. He never met a stranger and could sell you a can of rusty nails.
Jeff is survived by three daughters: Rebecca Thompson of Odessa MO, Barb (Mike) Abernathey and Paula (Daniel) Martin both of Independence, MO; one brother, Archie Bourns of Gilham AR; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Betty; six brothers; and one sister.