Houston Healthcare’s Jim Burns- A lifetime of volunteering

There are many definitions of what a volunteer is, and according to Merriam-Webster’s website the simple definition of the word volunteer is a person who chooses to join the military and a person who does work without getting paid to do it. This definition describes Warner Robins resident Jim Burns to the ‘T.’

Burns was born on March 31, 1917, in North Carolina, and yes, do the math, he celebrated his 99th birthday this year. He also this year was recognized at the Houston Health Care Volunteer banquet for volunteering more than 14,000 hours and counting at the Houston Medical Center.

When he was 3 years old his father passed, and his mother raised him and his two sisters during the Great Depression. He said his passion for serving the people came from his mother.

“Of course the Great Depression was a tough time to grow up and live in,” said Burns. “But my mother took any job she could get, and always provided for me and my sisters. Her love, hard work, and strong character inspired me to give back to others. and in 1940 I volunteered to join the military.”

Burns said through the Air Force he got to travel a lot, and his main line of work was keeping up the maintenance on all different kinds of aircrafts. He then was called to serve in World War II in Australia for two and a half years.

“My wife and I had just got married six months prior to me going overseas to serve in the war,” said Burns. “So when I came back it was like we had to start all over. We were married for 12 years, and then she passed away due to health reasons. I then remarried years later, and sadly I lost my second wife 10 years ago.”

Burns retired from the Air Force in 1961 as a Master Sergeant. After retiring he began work at several locations in civil services, and in 1971 he came to work at Robins Air Force Base. He worked for Robins for 16 years and retired there from civil services. Naturally after having two careers with a total of 37 years, Burns wanted to continue to work.

“Not long after I retired from Robins Air Force Base I began volunteering here at the Houston Medical Center,” said Burns. “I have been volunteering now for 18 years. When I first began, my second wife and I volunteered at the center together. I also used to walk here when I lived a mile away, but now I live four miles away and that is too far (he said laughing).”

Burns said he volunteers three days a week, five hours a day. His duties over the years and currently include working the front desk and escorting patients. He also volunteers at a local food bank one day a week. He said there are so many things he enjoys working as a volunteer.

“First I enjoy the people I work with,” said Burns. “We are all kind of like family, and caretakers for each other. I have had wonderful supervisors over the years. It’s also good to see the younger kids in the summer volunteering. And of course you get to see some of the best people around here, the patients. It’s a pleasure to work with the people and for the people.”

Melissa Phagan, executive assistant to the CEO of Houston Healthcare and Director of Volunteer Services, said Burns is a blessing to the hospital.

“Mr. Burns has been with us many years and is a very dedicated volunteer who provides a lot of customer service to our patients, visitors and staff,” said Phagan. “He goes above and beyond of making sure the needs are met for the patients and visitors. He is just personable and a delight, and is an active member of the community. We are very grateful to have him.”

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