Howard Tice Burns, 73, of Stanfield, Oregon, died Wednesday, February 18, 2015, at his home with family, after a 4½-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer.

He was born June 22, 1941, in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of H.T. and Alice (Malling) Burns. His younger years were spent on the Stevenson Flats, Garrison, North Dakota, then later moved to Stanton, North Dakota, where he graduated from Stanton High School. He attended Wahpeton State School of Science, studying radio and TV. He then attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago studying A.C. power, maintenance and refrigeration.

He worked for Gil Fargo Refrigeration and at Minot A.F.B. in 1966. Howard married Margaret (Peggy) Schei on August 27, 1966, at the First Congregational Church in Garrison, North Dakota. They moved to Hermiston, Oregon, in 1967 and Howard worked at the Umatilla Army Depot and also owned and operated Burns Refrigeration Service in the late 1960s and early 1970s, where he did service for many businesses. A daughter Michele Ann Burns was born April 28, 1968. A move to The Dalles, Oregon, followed where Howard worked at John Day Dam, and son Harold Tice Burns was born April 1, 1971. He then transferred to McNary Dam working for the Army Corps of Engineers, retiring on August 2, 2001.

Howard was a loving, caring husband and father, and an amazing grandfather. He had a wonderful love for family and friends. In his retirement years, he enjoyed ultralight aircraft and loved the feeling of freedom.

He was a member of the Hat Rock Hounds Rock & Gem Club and the Faith Presbyterian Church, helping with the Backpack program with the Agape House.

He enjoyed fishing with his children and grandchildren, and camping with his RV when his health permitted.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, H.T. and Alice Burns.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Peggy; his daughter, Michele Burns Rodriguez, and son Harold Tice Burns, both of Stanfield, Ore.; five grandchildren, Ashley Rodriguez of La Grande, Ore., Jessica Burns of Hermiston, Ore., Danielle Burns of Hermiston, Ore., Kaitlyn Burns of Stanfield, Ore., and Travis Livingston of Stanfield, Ore.; sister Sharon Burns-Campbell of Anchorage, Alaska; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1005 S.E. Ninth St., Hermiston, OR 97838.

Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon, is in care of arrangements.