Alfred Columbus Burns, Jr.

Alfred Columbus Burns, Jr., 88, of Goose Creek, SC passed away at his home on Saturday, June 22, 2024. 

He was born on December 2, 1935 in Lynchburg, VA to the late Alfred Columbus Burns and the late Ola Mayo Burns. 

He later moved to Irongate, VA where he excelled in all sports, including basketball, baseball, and football.  It was there that he met his high school sweetheart, love of his life, and first wife, Shirley May Burns.  Alfred joined the US Navy in 1953 and later married Shirley in 1958.  After several tours of duty in Florida they finally settled in Goose Creek, SC to raise their three children, where he later retired from both the US Navy and the Charleston Naval Shipyard. 

Alfred loved, and was very active in, coaching youth sports at Goose Creek Parks and Playground.  He coached local football teams as well as Palmetto Major Baseball, where he won the league championship for several consecutive years.

Alfred loved bass fishing and was a member of several local bass clubs.  He loved spending nearly every weekend at Rocks Pond Campground pitching horseshoes, fishing, skiing, and camping with various friends and family. 

Alfred is preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; his parents; his brother, Bert Burns; and his sister, Mary Frances Vetor. 

Alfred is survived by his wife, Evelyn Burns; his daughter, Patricia Moore (Gordon); his sons, Timothy Burns and Douglas Burns; cherished friend, Henry Woodruff; his brother, Fred Burns (Deloris); his sister, Doris Swartz (Chet); and the absolute light of his life granddaughter, Tara Moore Burger (Brandon). 

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, SC 29445. The funeral service will immediately follow at 1:00pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation and will be officiated by the Reverend Ed "Buddy" Dowd. 

The burial will immediately follow the service and will be held at Plantation Memorial Gardens, 3345 S. Live Oak Dr., Moncks Corner, SC 29461.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed and/or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, SC 29445, 843-553-1511.