Jesse "Tom" Burns

Jesse Thomas “Tom” Burns was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 2, 1948, to Jesse O. and Kathryn Morris Burns. Four years later, his brother Timothy Allen Burns was born to complete their family. J. O. and Kathryn were trained musicians, and both Tom and Tim began piano lessons at young ages and played in many recitals. When Tom started high school, the family moved to Tempe, Arizona, where he joined the choir, began his vocal training, and met his future wife, Susan Mecham. As he developed his beautiful, rich baritone voice, he participated in numerous concerts and musicals throughout high school. He was selected as one of two high school singers in the state of Arizona to tour Europe with the School Chorus of America in 1966. Both he and Susan attended Arizona State University as Vocal Performance majors and maintained a close friendship as they sang together in a variety of performances during their college years. He and his duet partner received the first-place prize of $5000 at the Your All-American College Show in 1969. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1970 and began his Master of Music degree that same year. Tom was accepted at the elite Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he studied and performed with opera stars from around the world. He later performed as a soloist with the Phoenix Opera Company and several choral groups in the Phoenix area. One of the highlights of his singing career was to sing in the Salt Lake Tabernacle with the Mormon Youth Symphony as a winner in the Young Artists Music Festival in 1973. In 1970, Tom’s good friend Susan married Stan Hall, who sadly died in a tragic accident in January 1971. Five months later, she gave birth to their son, Scott Hall. Susan was invited to step in to replace a lead singer in ASU’s production of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni in October of that year, in which Tom was cast as Don Giovanni. She was delighted to be back on the stage, and she and Tom renewed their friendship. They began seriously dating the following year and were married in December of 1972. A year later, their son Eric was born. After Tom completed his Master’s Degree in music, he and Susan were uncertain about their future, and Tom began an accounting program at ASU. During his studies, he was hired by General Electric and offered an accounting position in Colstrip, Montana, on the site of a power plant being built by GE. Eventually, he took a job with GE in Portland, Oregon for two years and then was transferred to a position in El Monte, California. In 1979, the family moved to Claremont, CA, where Susan and Tom lived for the next 36 years. In 1982, their last child, Sean, was born and their family was complete. Tom worked for GE another 9 years when he felt the need to continue his education at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, pursuing a Master of Science degree in IT auditing. He also felt the desire to perform again and was hired as the bass soloist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. He sang there for 11 years and had marvelous experiences singing great choral pieces often accompanied by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also a soloist in the Los Angeles area for other groups. After receiving his second Master’s degree, he worked as an IT auditor for Farmers Insurance, Washington Mutual Bank, Chase Bank, and ultimately retired from City National Bank in Los Angeles. He achieved many honors and accolades throughout his career for his outstanding work as an auditor. In 2015, he and Susan heeded the invitation of their son Eric and his wife Kendra to move to East Wenatchee, WA, where they lived until he passed away on July 29, 2026. Tom was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and enjoyed the fellowship of many members in the area. Tom’s interests and passions varied greatly throughout his life. Besides his passion for music, interests included family trips to Disneyland, San Diego, Yellowstone and Sequoia National Parks, roller coasters, dogs, photography, stereos, cars, woodworking, computers, firearms, science, shopping, Star Trek, and most recently, gospel study. He had a curious mind and was truly a lifelong learner. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Other (J.O.) Burns and mother Kathryn Margaret Morris Burns and is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan, his brother, Timothy Burns of Woodburn, OR, his sons, Scott S. Hall (Kimberlie) of Muncie, IN, Eric T. Burns (Kendra) of Wenatchee, WA, and Sean C. Burns (Rebecca) of Meriden, NH; grandchildren Shaylie Hall of Redlands, CA, Jennica Flandro (Seth) of Woods Cross, UT, Mary Hall of Muncie, IN, Tanner Burns of Pullman, WA, Owen Burns of Spokane, WA, Julianne Burns of Bountiful, UT, Nathan Burns, currently serving a church mission in Benin, Africa, Jaelynn, Jane, Josie, and Samuel Burns of Wenatchee, and Susanna Burns of Meriden, NH, and one great-grandchild, Rhett Flandro of Woods Cross, UT. A service to celebrate his life is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 667 10th Street NE, East Wenatchee. Following the service, interment will take place at the Evergreen Memorial Park 1301 10th Street, NE, East Wenatchee. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org/donate. Oh yes, and finally, don’t forget to “drive carefully.” Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley of East Wenatchee.

Jesse "Tom" Burns

September 2, 1948 - July 29, 2026