Dustin Joseph Burns, lover of nature
Dustin Joseph Burns, 39, was born May 8, 1981, and passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. He was in Georgetown, and had recently returned from living and working in Spokane, Wash.. He was a graduate of Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes, class of 1999.
Dustin was the loving son of William Burns Jr., Denise Lowe Burns, and proud stepson of Barry, all of Georgetown. He was a benevolent and loving brother to William Jason Burns and Julie Boucher, and a loving supporter and proud mentor to his nieces and nephews, Zoey and her partner Steve, William, Julian, Emma and Chloe. He had a very special place in his heart for, and was deeply loved in return, by his grandmom, Edna E. Burns, her husband Jim, and cousins Jimmy and Casey. He was profoundly loved and is sorely missed by his: aunt Patti and uncle Jim Deptula, and cousins, Jaime (Yonghao), Jessica (Jason), Steve (Julia and Kara),and Doug (Vivian and Violet); uncle Ralph and aunt Faith Lowe, and cousins Melissa (Matt) Jordan (Rachel, Jackson and River) and Joshua (Monika, and Presley); aunt Janet and uncle Lee Mitchell, and cousins Don, Pete, Missy and Kathy; and aunt Diane and uncle Mike Sponaugle, and cousins April, David, Rebecca and Rachel.
Dustin was preceded in death and welcomed on to his next journey by loving grandparents Ralph V. and Helen P. Lowe; grandfather William H. (Bud) Burns Sr.; his adoring great-aunt, Nancy A. Phillips; and lifelong family friend and godfather, Kenny Martin.
Dustin was a lifelong friend, lover and soulmate to Stephanie Harpster, and he loved her children, Keilo and Jayden, as if they were his own, as well as her mother, Wendy, who was like a second mom to him. He also left behind his best feline friend and loyal sidekick, Maryjane, who survives him. While traveling out west, he adopted her as an orphaned kitten, and Mary became his faithful pal, confidante and traveling companion.
Dustin had a great passion and appreciation for Our Mother Earth, and her “Church of Nature.” Hiking and taking pictures of beautiful landscapes, researching and discussing world issues, collecting art and antiques, gaming with friends in his spare time, and experimenting with culinary cuisine, were just a few of the myriad of interests he treasured. Wanting to see the United States of America, Dustin set goals of taking five years to explore this interest by traveling and living in the western part of our country.
He reached this goal and lived his dream, subsequently accomplishing it with great satisfaction and happiness. Those who knew Dustin recognized that he followed the beat his own drummer. He was not afraid to express his opinions, or stand up for whatever he believed to be right and true. He was a real go-getter with lots of drive, integrity and perseverance. For a short time, he dabbled in the field of horticulture in Colorado, especially with the uses of hydroponics and native plants. Like his pop-pop Ralph, he found great happiness utilizing his green thumb to grow many beautiful plants over the years. Everyone loved and enjoyed listening to Dustin share stories of his many adventures, and about the wonderful people he met in his travels.
As the COVID-19 pandemic increased in the USA, Dustin decided mid-year it was time to come back to his home state of Delaware to be near his family members. He was an extraordinary “ray of sunshine” to us when he returned, and was a compassionate caretaker within our family. He was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Dustin was a third-generation water well driller in his home state of Delaware, following in the footsteps of his father, Jr., and his grandfather, Bud. While in Spokane, where he resided the longest, he was a certified pump technician with Fogle Pump & Supply Inc., and they were like a second family to him. He was so thankful to have been employed by a company that appreciated and respected him, as he likewise did them.
Throughout Dustin’s life he formed loyal and caring friendships with people from many walks of life, and cherished them all wholeheartedly. His beautiful smile, robust laughter, and extreme sense of humor will be so sadly missed by all who knew him.
As Dustin’s family, we would like to thank his friends and ours for the many condolences and expressions of love we have received on his behalf. Your kindness will always be remembered, just as Dustin will always be remembered in our hearts. Dustin, all the love you gave, now surrounds you forever; your spirit is free.
A private graveside service and interment are being handled by Short Funeral Services, 609 East Market St., Georgetown, Saturday, Sept. 12. We plan to have a Celebration of Lifein the near future, at a time deemed safer for traveling, for those who wish to attend.
If you would like to leave a fond remembrance of your life’s adventures with Dustin, please feel more than welcome to share at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in the memory of Dustin Joseph Burns to one of these registered nonprofit organizations: Just Us Cat & Kitten Rescue, in care of Bob Harrison, president, P.O. Box 32, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971; 1-302-228-7387; Cape Henlopen State Park, in care of: Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, P.O. Box 132, Nassau, DE 19958, 1-302-858-6127; The Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier, in care of Washington’s National Park Fund, 1904 3rd Ave #400, Seattle, WA 98101, https://wnpf.org/donate/, 1-206-623-2063; or Sawtooth National Forest, Lake and Recreational Area, in care of The Sawtooth Society, P.O. Box 820, Hailey, ID 83333, http://www.sawtoothsociety.org/donate-join, 1-208-721-1495.
