Former rental company owner Ray Burns died recently in his native Idaho Falls, Idaho, of natural causes at the age of 84. Burns was founder and owner of Gem State Rentals for 40 years and was active in the American Rental Association for 58 years, including service as association president. Burns was also president of American Rental Dealer Insurance, or ARDI.
Burns was active in many community organizations such as the Masons, Shriners, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Club and Kiwanis. Burns volunteered as a driver for veterans who needed transportation to and from the VA hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Burns was also an active member of the St. Paul’s Methodist Church.
Burns was a popular figure at rental association meetings where he often gave out pins in the shape of potatoes, symbols of his home state. His son Laird Burns has been active for many years in the rental industry, having owned and managed several rental companies.
Burns is survived by his wife Mary Ann Doleman Burns of Idaho Falls, and his four children Kathy Burns of Texas, Laird Burns of Florida, Robert Burns of New Jersey and Teresa Burns of Utah, as well as his brother William Burns of Boise, Idaho. Burns has 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Surviving family members suggest memorial contributions be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate
(RER thanks Kathy Burns for providing this information)
