Obituary: James Burhans

Jim passed from this life peacefully Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 at Willow Wind Residence in Prescott at the age of 90. He was born in Kalamazoo, Mich. in October 1918 to Leon and Hazel Burhans.

He later moved to Lansing where his father worked as a coach for the athletic department at Michigan State University. Jim graduated from Lansing High School and attended Lincoln Electric Welding School. He became a welder in the Boston Navy Yard where he helped to repair the plush Queen Mary after she collided while sinking a cruiser. In March 1944, Jim married the love of his life, Norma Rosenzweig and traded his navy yard badge for a sailor's uniform. He was assigned as a radar man to a destroyer escort, the USS Kenneth M. Willet and served his country from 1943-1946 during WWII. Jim graduated in 1949 with a BA Education from ASU and later received his Masters from NAU. He taught sixth grade at Washington and Lincoln Elementary School, where he became principal in 1960. Jim retired from the Prescott Unified School District as the principal of Miller Valley Elementary School after serving children, teachers, fellow administrators and the Prescott community for 31 years.

In a tribute to Jim, the late Howard Jorgenson made the comment, "Jim wanted no glory - just the opportunity to work, especially in helping children in any way he could." Howard was talking about Jim being a very special Kiwanian but in looking back, this is how he lived in all facets of his life. Jim was a member of the Prescott Kiwanis Club, the YMCA, a founding member of both the Prescott Boys Club and the Unity Church of Prescott. He also volunteered over 20 years with the Veterans Administration. He loved playing golf, fishing, hunting, playing the drums with Jim Born at the Pine Cone Inn and lately he loved to entertain everyone, especially his grandchildren, with his harmonica. Of all his accomplishments, Jim was most proud of his family.

Jim is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Marc and Rita Burhans of Mesa and Lee and Jeani Burhans of Tucson; and his daughters and sons-in-law, Kris and Willie Andrada of Prescott and Laura and Bill Fields of Prescott. He also is survived by 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Norma and son, David.

A Celebration of Jim's Life will be on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009 at Unity Church of Prescott, 145 S. Arizona St., with Rev. Tom Catlin officiating.

The family suggests contributions to St. Jude's Childrens' Research Hospital, Yavapai Food Bank, or Unity Church of Prescott.

Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family. Please log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Jim's guestbook and share a memory with the family.

Information provided by survivors.