Duane “Nelson” Burns was born January 24, 1931, to Roy and Blanche (Deweese) Burns at his grandmother’s home in Geary, Oklahoma. He passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 94.  Nelson attended Logan Center/Gouge Eye Schools until the eighth grade, then attended Geary Schools where he graduated from Geary High School. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Rae Ice on July 1, 1951, in Geary, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death on August 28, 2019, in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  Nelson lived on the family homeplace his entire life. After he and Phyllis married, they lived at the Weaning Pen as newlyweds, and once his parents moved out of their home, Nelson and Phyllis moved in and continued the family farming and ranching legacy. They were honored as Farmer–Rancher of the Year in recognition of their dedication and hard work.  Nelson enjoyed hunting, fishing, and visiting with friends and family while telling stories. He and Phyllis loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and many other destinations. They also enjoyed attending Hereford sales together. Nelson was a proud member of the Oklahoma Hereford Association, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and the Blaine County Cattlemen’s Association, where he served as a board member for over 50 years. He and Phyllis were longtime members of Blaine County Bonus Auctions and were named Farm Family of the year in 1993. He also served on the Geary School Board and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Geary.

Survivors include his two children, Diana Sue Knox and David Burns, both of Geary; two great-grandchildren, Zane Hanrahan-Dabney of Geary and Sage Hanrahan of Okarche; and two step-granddaughters, Laura Knox of Geary and Chris Knox of Oklahoma City; along with other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Blanche Burns; his wife, Phyllis Burns; one son, Tim Burns; his son-in-law, Bill Knox; siblings Beulah( Charlie) Berry, Ruth (Jeff)  Shilling, Nina (JBoyd) Nelson, Floyd (Annetta) Burns, Forrest (Fern) Burns, Neal (Doloris) Burns, Bob (Dorothy) Burns, Keith (Donelda) Burns, Doyle (Gladys) Burns, Rosemary (Dale) Davis, Brothers- in-law A.N (Frances) Ice, and Donald Ice. 

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Geary, Oklahoma, with Rev. Tony Moore and Rev. Angela Fleming officiating. Burial will follow at the Geary Cemetery in Geary, Oklahoma.

Services entrusted to Turner Funeral Home, Geary, OK, Condolences may be sent to the family at turnerfuneralhomes@gmail.com, turnerfh.net, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TurnerFuneralHomes