Judge Leon Burns

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Judge Leon Cleveland Burns Jr., longtime 13th Judicial District Criminal Court Judge, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, at the age of 90.

Born on July 3, 1936, in Florence, AL, Judge Burns grew up in Columbia, TN, and graduated from Central High School, where he served as football team manager under coach Malcolm "Mutt" Quillen. After graduation, he followed Coach Quillen to Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Tech University) and served as football manager until he graduated in 1959 with a Business Management degree.

Judge Burns served a couple of years in the Army before returning to Cookeville to work at Adams Plastics (now Adams USA). Later, he served as administrator at Cookeville General Hospital (now Cookeville Regional Medical Center) before enrolling in law school at the University of Tennessee and graduating in 1975.

After only a few years of practicing law, Judge Burns was first appointed to the bench by Governor Ray Blanton as a temporary replacement. Only a few months later, Burns was called back to a judgeship, where he stayed until he was elected to fill the unexpired term in 1978 as criminal court judge in the 13th Judicial District. Burns was subsequently re-elected to four eight-year terms. Notably, he was never opposed, serving a total of 38 years on the bench. As one of the longest-serving judges in the Tennessee Judicial Conference, he served humbly, upheld the law with integrity, and treated everyone with respect.

At the heart of Judge Burns's life was his family. In 1966, Judge Burns met and married Cookeville native Ann Cox. They raised two daughters Millicent and Claire in a house on Dixie Avenue. Years after Ann’s passing, he was lucky to find love again with Julie Lane. He was so happy to enlarge his family.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Burns was a travel and hiking enthusiast. He, with his wife, Julie, walked trails all over Tennessee and the world. A love of travel was something he shared with his family, from car trips across the country in the family station wagon, to visiting loved ones while studying abroad, to discovering new places and people. He was a member of the Tennessee Trails Association, Cookeville Noonday Rotary, and a member and Past President of the Tennessee Bar Association, former Chairman of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and a founding member of the Poet’s Coffee Group.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Lane Burns; his daughter, Claire Burns; step-children, Susan Lane (Anthony Marotta), John Lane, and Andy Lane (Traci). He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Caleb Grider, Maddy Von Reiser (Rutger), Preston Lane (Harper), Sebastian Marotta, and Clara Lane; and great-grandchildren, Mathias Von Reiser, Josie Von Reiser, and Skylar Lane.

He was preceded in death by his late wife, Ann Cox Burns; by his daughter, Millicent Burns; his father and mother, Brother Leon Cleveland Sr. and Martha Harding Burns; by his sisters, Martha Burns McKee, Sarah Burns Padeu, and Mary Burns Blankenship; and by his grandchild, Maria Paige Lane.

A memorial service honoring Judge Burns will be at 1 p.m. Monday, October 26, at Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Kevin Conrad will officiate. Visitation for friends and family will be Sunday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home and again Monday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the TennGreen Land Conservancy, 1213 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212. www.tenngreen.org 

Judge Leon Burns will be remembered for a life spent serving others, and for the kindness he showed everyone he met. He never put himself above anyone and cared deeply for his community and his family. Those who knew him won’t forget it.

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.