Henry Knox Burns, III

Henry Knox Burns, III, known to family and friends as Henry or “Sonny” to many, died on March 31, 2026, in Dothan, Alabama, at the age of 84.

He was born on April 2, 1941, in Macon, Georgia, to Henry Knox Burns, Jr. and Anne Holmes Burns. Henry grew up in Macon and carried the values of hard work, faith, and family throughout his life. He attended Miss Duffey’s kindergarten class, Alexander III, Lanier High School in Macon, and Georgia Tech, where he continued building the foundation for a life marked by industry, innovation, service, and dedication.

Henry built a respected career through determination, vision, and a willingness to see possibility where others might not. An entrepreneur, he owned Burns Automation Incorporated in Macon, GA in 1973 and later Burns Machinery Inc., which became BMI, Inc. in Dothan in 1983. He also served as Vice President and Plant Engineer from 1964 to 1975 of Burns Brick Company in Macon, Georgia. In 1975, he moved from Macon, GA to Newton, AL then to Dothan, AL in 1978, where he continued to make his home and remain active in the church and community. He loved to travel for work, and he had a remarkable ability to recognize potential in people and to give them the chance to grow and succeed.

A devoted follower of Jesus, Henry was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church where he was a member since 1975. His life in the church reflected the same steady kindness and quiet strength that defined so many other parts of his life. He was also deeply connected to Scouting, having traveled to the World Jamboree with the Boy Scouts and was an Eagle Scout himself. His commitment to Scouting extended through his family, and he took great pride in being a father and brother in the Scouting tradition.

Henry is survived by his wife, Katharine M. Burns, “Kitsy”; his sons, Henry Knox Burns, IV, “Trig,” and his wife, Sherri Adkison Burns, W. Stuart Burns and his wife, Pamela Rountree Burns, and Hubert Burns and his wife, Jenie Arnold Burns; and his grandchildren, Abigail Burns, William Burns, Leila Burns, McKayla Burns, Houston Burns, and Caroline Burns. He is also survived by his brother, John McKay Burns and his wife, Chris; his sister, Ethel Burns Shockley and her husband, Steve; his brother-in-law, Shelton Sanford; his best friend, Tony Moore; and numerous nieces, nephews, church friends, and extended family members who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Knox Burns, Jr. and Anne Holmes Burns; his brother, Dr. William Holmes Burns; and his sister, Anne Burns Sanford.

Those who knew Henry will remember him as a kind and faith-filled man whose life was grounded in love for his family, loyalty to his friends, and devotion to his church and community. He lived with purpose, treated others with respect, and left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy will continue through the family he cherished, the work he accomplished, and the many lives he touched along the way.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 2pm in Belle Meade Chapel at Sunset Funeral Home with Reverend Dr. Shelton Stanford and Rev. Rob Oates officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service on Monday. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church in Dothan, AL designated for South Shields Evangelical Church in Henry’s honor or can be donated to his granddaughter for her mission work in Africa. https://give.pioneers.org/s-donate?firstname=MemorialGift&lastname=Burns&projectcode=102789.