Obituary of Wendell Hugh Burns

Wendell Hugh Burns, of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 7, surrounded by the presence, love and prayer of his family.   Wendell was born to Edna “Pauline” Burns and Charles “Hugh” Burns on September 11,  1941 in Goodsprings, Tennessee.  He was extremely proud of his years growing up on a country farm, and always regaled his family and friends with his many stories.     He graduated with honors from McMinn County High School and furthered his education at Tennessee Wesleyan College and University of Chattanooga, but his most valuable education was in the print shop.     At 15, Wendell worked as a “printers devil, ” and wrote a local interest column and occasional editorial for the Etowah Enterprise newspaper. Wendell made a move to Chattanooga, Tennessee in the early sixties and worked his way up through several printing companies and positions, until he purchased Jones Printing in 1973 and grew it from a small 4-employee company into a premier commercial printer.  One of his proudest career moments was when he won the Printing Industries Association of the South’s “Man of the Year” in 1993.   When Wendell sold the company in 1997, a majority of his loyal early employees, “The Jones Family” were still there.  

Over the years, Wendell was a member of several boards, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, UTC Round Table, Lookout Mountain Investment Club, and Vice-President of his Lookout Mountain Golf Club, where he participated in one of his favorite hobbies, golf,  carrying his clubs from hole to hole and developing many close friendships.  His other hobbies included traveling the United States and abroad with his wife and dear friends, the infamous annual “Burns Family Beach Trips,”  reading, walking with his best buddy - and hound dog - “Charlie,” and being “Umpa” to his grandchildren.     Wendell is survived, and will be missed by, his wife of 44 years, Gay Burns; his children Angela (Kevin) Beairsto, Wendy (Curtis) Markham, Ned (Erin) Newell, and Mac (Renee) Newell; 9 grandchildren, Joseph, Patrick, Christian, Madeline, Lindsay, Laney, Olivia, Noah, and Evan; seven great grandchildren; his sister Carolyn Burns Mouch;  his much loved  uncle Paul Allison; his nieces and nephews;  several cousins; and his many, many friends.  

Wendell’s Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, February 13, at The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Lookout Mountain.  The family will receive guests and friends at 2:00 pm.

The family would like to express gratitude for the care and kindness of his caretaker, Zion Scruggs.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Church of The Good Shepherd or to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, a favorite of Wendell’s , as he “never wanted anyone to go hungry.”   Share your memories, stories and photos at wannfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. (423) 821-7551