Boyd Lee Burns, 82, longtime Chanute realtor and insurance agent, died Friday, May 7, 2010 at Chanute Healthcare Center. He had Parkinson’s disease and had suffered a fall in December, breaking his pelvis and hip. He did not recover after surgery in early April.

He was born at Johnson Hospital in Chanute July 4, 1927, the son of Archie Lee and Virginia Boyd Burns. He graduated from Chanute High School in 1945 and the University of Kansas in 1950, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He studied piano from the age of 5 through college and was an accomplished pianist.

He was drafted into the Army shortly after college and served during the Korean War with General Eisenhower’s NATO forces in Germany. During that time he began a life-long interest in history, particularly the era of Marie Antoinette.

In 1953 he began his business career in Chanute. He was married March 24, 1959, in Scott City, to Jane Ann Moore.

He is survived by his wife; son Daren Burns, Prairie Village; daughters Natalie Burns, Prairie Village, Stephanie and husband, Daniel e. Choplick, Jr., Bellvue, Neb.; and granddogs Rose Marie Burns and Maddie Choplick.

He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a former Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, past president of Chanute Country Club and Chanute Multi-List. He served many years as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The body was cremated with private inurnment. No services. A Celebration of Life will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 11 at the family home, 1802 Arolyn Drive. Memorials may be made to Families for Mental Health, P.O. Box 325, Shawnee Mission, KS 66201, or Safari Museum, 111 N. Lincoln, Chanute, KS 66720.