Roger Burns Obituary

Roger Dale Burns
1949 – 2025
"I was just an ol' boy with a big heart and a little common sense." ~ George Jones
Roger Dale Burns, age 75, of Ashland, KY, passed peacefully away on Saturday, July 5th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and with fond memories on his heart, at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Roger Burns was born in the golden days of late summer on September 8, 1949, at his family home in Rush, Kentucky. He was a cherished blessing to the late Bill and Ruth Burns. A proud 1967 graduate of Boyd County High School, Roger began his working at Valley Poultry Eggs before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. He spent 14 months of his service stationed in Okinawa, where he played a vital role in receiving and dispatching supplies in support of the Vietnam War. Following his honorable two-year stint in the Army, Roger returned home and dedicated 34 years of hard work to Novamont, also known as U.S. Chemical, Aristech, Braskem, before retiring in 2011.
Roger was a devoted family man and a loyal friend to anyone in need. His heart found joy in the company of his church family at Meade Station Church of God, where he began attending as a young boy. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of the Men's Group, where laughter and fellowship were always in good supply.
A true craftsman at heart, Roger had a lifelong passion for restoring antique cars. He took great pride in transforming rusted, forgotten vehicles into gleaming, show worthy treasures. He also loved working with wood and was known for gifting friends and family with beautifully detailed birdhouses, each one a labor of love. A jack of all trades, there wasn't much Roger couldn't fix or build with his hands.
He was a natural-born jokester with a twinkle in his eye and a knack for pulling pranks that left people laughing. Roger loved country music, especially George Jones, and could spend hours talking cars with fellow enthusiasts or strolling through car shows, admiring the story and craftmanship behind each vehicle.
Roger was a dedicated husband to his wife of 53 years, Connie Sorrell Burns, a father to his devoted children Scott Burns and his wife Michelle of Ashland, KY, and Shelley Taylor and her husband Danny of Ashland, Ky, beloved grandfather to six precious grandchildren Tori Bellomy and her husband Brandon, Courtney Hale, Hannah Burns, Michaela Roberts and her husband Tristan, Ace Taylor and Evan Burns, as well as great-grandchildren Aiden Bellomy, Flynn Bellomy, Fletcher Bellomy, Brantley Caudill, Emery Ekers, Rory Roberts, and Addison Williams, as well as a precious baby Easton who will make his arrival in October. Roger was also blessed with two brothers of whom he loved very much, Bill Burns Jr and his wife Faye of Greenup, KY, and Larry Burns also of Greenup, a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss his jokes and infectious laughter.
In addition to his parents, Roger is also enjoying a Heavenly reunion with his infant brother Michael Burns.
Roger's life was a testament to kindness, craftsmanship, humor, and unwavering faith. Whether he was under the hood of a car, sitting in a church pew, or surrounded by the laughter of grandchildren, Roger gave his all. His legacy will live on in the engines that still hum thanks to his touch, the birdhouses hanging in backyards across the county, and most of all, in the love he poured into his family and friends.
A funeral service to honor the life of Roger will be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, beginning at 1:00 pm at Neal Funeral Home, located at 2409 Center Street, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 with Pastor Darryl Allen, Pastor Robert Jordan, and Pastor Charles Cross officiating. Visitation for friends and family will take place prior to the service from 11am to 1 pm. Roger will be laid to rest alongside his parents at Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens following the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family from our website at kilgorecollierfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Neal-Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home.
Neal Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the family of Roger Burns.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roger, please visit our floral store.