Stephen Martin Burns, loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend passed away on January 27, 2022 in Modesto, California due to complications from Covid. Stephen was born on February 19, 1971 in Whidbey Island, Washington to Judith Ketchum. He had one older sister, Vickie Burns.  In 1972 the family moved to Sunnyvale, California where they lived until 1985 when they moved to Milpitas, CA.   He was preceded in death by his mother Judith. 

Stephen was a sweet, bright, extremely talkative little boy. He loved Star Wars, playing with the many neighborhood kids in Sunnyvale, and tormenting his sister - just like every other little brother. School was not his favorite place to be - particularly when he moved to Catholic school when he was in fifth grade and was taught by a very strict nun who was also the principal. He would much rather have been outside with his friends or playing video games.

Stephen grew up surrounded by a large family full of many cousins, aunts, and uncles. (His mom was one of 10 children as was his grandma so you can imagine the family parties!) He enjoyed frequent visits to his Grandma Martin’s house for oatmeal muffins & oatmeal cookies, sleepovers with cousins, playing with his best friend and cousin Greg, huge family celebrations, game nights, and our annual family reunions.

Stephen was very close to his Grandma and Papa Burns. When he was quite young they left their home in Huntington Beach to move to Sunnyvale to help his mom with childcare. He and Papa spent a lot of time together. Papa rode his bike all over town with Stephen on the bar in front of him as they ran errands or made their way home from school. Papa even spent an entire day getting stung by bees as he removed the large rosemary bushes in front of our house because Stephen was diagnosed as allergic to bees.

When he lived in Sunnyvale Stephen met his good friend Laura. Stephen, Laura, and their friend Courtney were quite the dynamic trio through their teens and young adulthood. They lived together for a while and shared many adventures. 

He married the love of his life Maria Burns in 2000 and at that time became the instant father to Joshua, Mitchell and Sophia Payne and later they welcomed Stephanie.   Stephen settled in quickly to being a very happy and content husband and father.  He was grandfather to Stella, Uriah and Ezra Payne. 

 Stephen will be missed by his wife Maria; sister Vickie; children Joshua, Mitchell, Sophia & Stephanie; his daughters in love Kylie and Caitlyn; his long-time friends John & Lynn Bailey and their children Katelyn, Tommy, Daniel and Allison who were often mistaken as his own children at our church in Milpitas; Mike & Melissa Goes; his cousin Greg; life-long friends Courtney and Laura; his dog Ruby and lots of other cousins, family and friends. 

 He loved all kinds of music including Grateful Dead, Los Lobos, Elvis and so much more… He was easy-going, had a great sense of humor and was devoted to his family. We could always count on him to give a ride, run an errand or lend a listening ear. He loved the 49ers and watching re-runs of his favorite tv shows. He enjoyed fishing, he was on a bowling league and he collected baseball cards when he was younger.   

He was a devoted father and drove the boys to Football practices, went to every game, every gymnastic meet, every concert, play or musical that his kids were part of!  He was always happy to run errands, even if he just got back from the store and Maria sent him back for something that she remembered too late!  He was so easy-going and fun to be around!  

Stephen loved camping and especially enjoyed the guys-only annual trip that started with the Spearman Family  in the 1950's and was attended by the Baileys/Spearman's and any of their lucky friends and family that got invited.  They played poker, went fishing and didn't shower for 4-5 days!  It was a cherished time that Stephen looked forward to every Memorial Day Weekend.  

He enjoyed various adventures with Maria, John and Lynn through the years and especially enjoyed the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off in Reno and their trips to Las Vegas.  Their families had many fun vacations together and Stephen was always up to anything that Maria and Lynn came up with.  He volunteered for many years at Christ Community Church of Milpitas from childcare, cooking meals and anywhere Maria and Lynn needed him (and John)!  

One evening during Christmastime 2003, the Burns and Baileys were driving around Livermore looking at lights (in their white Astro Van with the Baileys following in their blue Expedition) and Stephen turned to Maria and said he was ready to accept Christ.  We pulled over the caravan, got all the kids out of the vehicles and Stephen accepted Christ on the side of the road on North Street in Livermore.  It was a memory that all of us still cherish to this day.  

This year on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13th (from the location of your choice) drink a Black and Tan or a Diet Pepsi and have some Extra Toasty Cheez-Its to remember Stephen with us!  We are hoping that his beloved 49ers will be playing, he would have loved that.  

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to help with funeral costs and expenses during this time.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/stephen-burns/obituary/

Copy