Thomas “Bear” Wylie Burns, III, passed away on January 27, 2024, at the age of 64 in Tarkio, Missouri.

He was born on November 11, 1959, in Clayton, Oklahoma, to Thomas Wylie, Jr. and Winnie Mae Burns. Tommy was the youngest of four children.

Tommy graduated from Mulvane High School in 1979. He served as part of the volunteer fire reserve in his hometown of Mulvane while still in high school.

Tommy was trained in gunsmithing and blacksmithing. He was an excellent marksman and loved the world of archery. Tommy was a champion archer and won many awards. He spent much of his life focusing on teaching the sport to young archers.

Tommy married the love of his life on February 14, 1999, in Tarkio. They shared the love for all things Renaissance and were inseparable for their almost 25-year marriage. Even in death they were inseparable. Tommy and Elaine will be together in eternity; Tommy passing on the 27th day of January, 2024, and Elaine joining him on the 29th.

Tommy was predeceased by his beloved mother, Winnie Mae Burns. He is survived by his father, Thomas W. Burns, Jr.; his three stepchildren, Tierzah, Daniel, and Jasmine Vogler; three sisters, Deborah (Thurston) Reynolds, Sherri (Julian) Heersche, and Shirley (Steve) Burns-Douglas; and six nieces and nephews, Sean Bergman, Heather Bergman, Natalie Riley, Emily Gramling, Tripp Reynolds, and Elizabeth Kendall, and their children and spouses.

Mr. Burns’ body has been cremated under the care of the Schooler Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life reception for both Thomas and Elaine (Park) Burns will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post in Tarkio. Inurnment will follow in the Home Cemetery, Tarkio.