Lewis E. “Lew” Burns graduated from The University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1962, and he continued to be a proud TU alumnus throughout his life.
Burns was born the son of a coal miner in Havana, Arkansas, but his father moved the family to Tulsa and started a dry cleaning business. Lewis graduated from Tulsa’s Central High School in 1956 and married his high school sweetheart, Wyona Beason, shortly after graduation, leading to a long and happy marriage and four children: Melinda, Brent, Shawna and Molly.
After his TU graduation, Burns enjoyed a successful career at Dover Corporation, beginning as a staff accountant and ultimately serving as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Dover Industries, before retiring in 2003 after more than 40 years of service. He spent most of his life in Dundee, Illinois, where he pursued his career, raised his family, and enjoyed golfing, hunting, traveling and card games, and he especially treasured spending time with family and friends.
In 2000, Burns was named an Outstanding Business Alumnus by The University of Tulsa in recognition of his exceptional career achievements, and he was a member of the President’s Council, an esteemed donor affinity organization.
Lewis Burns’ daughter, Molly, tragically passed away in 2006 at the age of 40, and the Burns family established a charitable foundation in her memory, known as the Molly D. Burns Foundation for Children, which was designed to sustain Molly’s life’s work, which was providing for the needs of children as a babysitter, teacher, daycare owner, mother and aunt.
Lewis Burns passed away in November of 2013 at the age of 75, and his family continues to treasure their memories of him and the meaningful life he led.
Burns always valued the quality education he received at TU, and his family wanted to honor his memory by establishing a scholarship fund in his name for business students at his alma mater.
In fulfillment of this wish, the Molly D. Burns Foundation for Children funded The Lewis E. Burns Memorial Scholarship in Business, which will perpetually support deserving business students at TU while memorializing Lewis E. Burns.
