Terry Burnes

Terry Burnes was born April 19, 1936 at Sioux City, Iowa, coming into this world two months earlier than expected and weighing in at a mere 3lb 8ozs to Evelyn Nora (Roeder) and John Walter Burnes. Terry was raised in Kasson and Tracy MN. Graduating from Kasson High School in 1954. Terry enlisted in the US Navy in September of that same year along with his longtime friend Dennis G. Wilson. Terry attended Radar and Electronic Countermeasure School at Treasure Island, San Francisco.

Terry was assigned on board the USS Cavalier APA 37 attaining the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class as radarman and part of Combat Information Center, (CIC). During the first six on board the vessel Terry served with his brother, Ronald, who was instrumental in having Terry billeted on board the Cavalier during “Operation Strongback” off the coast of Korea and the Philippine Islands in April, 1957. He departed the ship and the Navy in August 1958.

Terry attended Junior College for two years while employed at the new IBM location at Rochester, MN. Terry began IBM work as a Machines Accountant and became a programmer with the IBM development if the new 2nd generation computers and held several management positions and became program development manager within CMIS (Computer Management Information System) group. CMIS was the largest single programming development system attempted by all IBM up until that time.

Terry was first married from 1958 through 1972 to Sandra Burnes. They had five children that survive and they are Bryan Darvin, Cynthia Ann, Gregory Dean, Jefferey Lee, and Sheryl Lynn. All these children reside in WA, except Cynthia Ann living in MN, and a more recent daughter, Nora Medelina living and residing in Idaho.

All three of Terry’s sons were Navy men as were his brothers Eugene, Robert, and Ronald. Now recently his youngest daughter broke with tradition and still while a high school and dual North Idaho College student has enlisted in the U.S. Army for medical training as a reserve officer.

Terry left management and IBM briefly in 1978 moving to San Jose, California. Due to a severe motorcycle accident in 1978, Terry rejoined IBM at the San Jose location. Terry worked in several management positions, eventually becoming the Information and Data Security manager for the San Jose Development Laboratory.

In 1985 Terry accepted an overseas assignment living and working out of Hong Kong as the SEAR, (South East Asia Region) Data and Business Security manager. Terry had numerous countries with IBM that reported to him, Hong Kong, Indonesia (Jakarta & Bali), Thailand (Bangkok), Taiwan (Taipei), Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Philippines (Manila), Singapore, Shri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Terry traveled much of Asia including trips to Tokyo, New Zealand (Auckland Christchurch, Wellington) and Australia (Sydney, Melbourne).

In 1986 Terry married Remedios (Palattao) Burnes while living in Hong Kong. Terry took an early retirement upon completion of his assignment to SEAR Headquarters in 1987 and retired after 32 years with IBM to Hayden Lake, Idaho where he started his own computer business known as MBII or MicroBur Int. Inc. This business was for sales and building of computers with his MBI2 logo. Two years after moving to Idaho Terry and Remy had a daughter Nora Medelina, born in 1989.

Terry was historian and created a web site as Webmaster for the USS Cavalier Reunion Organization, attending reunions during the remainder of his retirement and up until his demise. Terry continued business maintaining only a few customers in his later years.

Terry would desire most to be remembered for his pride and love for all his family, his children, his wife, his friends and his service to the Navy. Terry leaves his life at 160 lbs. after having attained 230 lbs. during his time living in Hong Kong. His overall attainments were not insignificant (especially since he began at a little over 3 lbs. and reached 230 lbs.). Much of his early demise can be attributed to having been diabetic (likely from his life style while in Asia).

Terry’s final wish is to be remembered for his humor (writing his own “official obituary”) and prefers no change or abbreviations be made without his direct permission. Hopefully you may reach Terry via prayer directed towards heaven, keep in touch.

A service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at Yates Funeral Home – Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden. Please visit Terry’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com