John Barlow Burns, 61, of Marlinton, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a courageous health battle.
Born November 12, 1964, in Marlinton, he was a son of Fred Burns Jr. and Carolyn Burns, of Marlinton.
John graduated from Pocahontas County High School – Class 1983 and later earned an Associate Degree in Business from Fairmont State University.
John was a faithful member of Marlinton United Methodist Church. He was a dispatcher and served as President of Burns Motor Freight and was a former member of the West Virginia Trucking Association. John also proudly served the Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years. He was a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather who cherished time with his family. He especially enjoyed spending his free time at Clover Lane Farm in Clover Lick, creating lasting memories while giving side-by-side rides to those he loved.
In addition to his parents, John is survived by his wife of 39 years, Denise Elza Burns; daughter, Lisa Herold, and husband, Sam; son, Stephen Burns, and wife, Brooke; grandchildren, Andrew and Amelia Herold and Parker and Hadley Burns, all of Marlinton; sister, Anne Keeler, and husband, Greg, of Staunton, Virginia; brother, Doug Burns, and wife, Stephanie, of Marlinton; and several nieces and nephews.
John will be deeply loved and missed by all who knew him.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Marlinton United Methodist Church, with Pastors Carmen LaRue and Julian Rittenhouse officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations of sympathy may be made to the Marlinton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 54, Marlinton, WV 24954.
Online condolences may be made at lantzfuneralhome.com
