A small memorial service honoring Michael Lonnie Burns, 40, of Gainesville, will be held. Please contact Whitfield Funeral Home regarding service details.
Mr. Burns was called home by the Lord Oct. 14, 2019.
Born July 22, 1979, he was the son of the late Lonnie Rondall Burns and Phyllis Franklin Burns. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by grandparents, Josephine and Clarence Franklin, and Willie and Teasley Burns.
He was a native of Cornelia, in which he spent more than 30 years of his life. He later moved to Gainesville, became a business owner and opened an Anytime Fitness Gym in Gainesville, where he spent the remainder of his years.
He grew up in a close-knit family in which he was blessed to share intimate relationships with both sets of grandparents, multiple aunts and uncles, and many cousins. Michael was the proud younger brother of his sister, Julie. He loved her deeply and was there for her at a moment's notice. Great times at Jekyll Island, Saint Simons, and family gatherings at the Burns Family farm nearly always included extended family.
Michael's father, the late Lonnie Burns, along with sister Julie, shared many summers at Heritage Golf Course in Clarkesville, playing golf from sunup to sundown. These were wonderful bonding experiences that also grew Michael's love for the game of golf.
Michael graduated from Habersham Central High School in 1997, where he was a proud member of the Raider golf team. Upon high school graduation, Michael continued to obtain a bachelor of business degree from Piedmont College. While in college, after graduation, Michael continued to work at Apple Mountain Golf Course for over 10 years, where he served within the clubhouse and as the assistant golf professional.
After Apple Mountain, Michael left to pursue his goal of taking his love of fitness to the next level by opening his own fitness facility. As the owner of Anytime Fitness Gainesville, he and his staff grew the gym to over 900 members. Michael cared immensely for the members and his staff.
Michael's life was filled with family, athletics and golf, which brought him blessings of lifelong friendships and lasting lessons from great coaches and mentors to include Randy Burris, Deray Fincher, Ryan Kirby, Clint Smith and Timmy Neese. Michael was truly blessed with many wonderful friends who remember him as gentle, kind, sincere yet he had an undeniable witty side and a great sense of humor.
His natural athletic ability was undeniable. Michael was a natural leader on and off the golf course and gym; others were drawn not only to his athleticism but to his humble spirit.
Michael's most recent golfing trip was to Pebble Beach, California with close friends in early February. Soon after that, during the week of July 4, Michael went onto play in the Golden Isles Invitational at Brunswick Country Club.
Faith was also a significant influence during his youth as a member of the Cornelia United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his mother, Phyllis Franklin Burns; sister, Julie Kay Burns; uncles and aunts, Vivian Schoonmaker, Robert (Sandra) Franklin, Melba Windham, and Mark (Donna) Burns; cousins, Lyle (Kathy) Burns, Graham (Cassie) Burns, Chad Burns, Charlee (Matt) Haynes, Steve (Connie) Ash, and Trudi (Ken) Schubring.
In place of flowers, please consider a monetary gift made out to the "Habersham County Schools Athletics Golf Program" in memory of Michael Burns. Contributions can be mailed to Terri Roberts, HCHS, 2059 St. Hwy 197, Mt. Airy, GA 30563.
Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin is in charge of arrangements.