Donald Earl Burns Sr.

Donald Earl Burns Sr., 62, worked as a construction analyst for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was a former football coach at Douglass High School and taught woodworking for many years. As a coach at Douglass, Burns guided the lives of such future stars as Albert Chandler and Raymond Hamilton, both of whom played for the Oklahoma Sooners and the New England Patriots. “He affected the lives of all his players in a positive way,” Chandler said. “Coach Burns was a great character builder for young men. He was very influential in both my academic and athletic careers. He’ll surely be missed by all.” Chandler said Hamilton is now a defensive line coach with the New York Jets. “Raymond has called to express his sympathy,” Chandler said.