Inspirational family man dies aged 71

A community stalwart who received an MBE from the Queen for his services to two Staffordshire villages has died.

Terry Burns, once a schoolboy footballer with Wolves, died last Saturday, aged 71, following a battle with cancer.

Mr Burns raised money for the purchase of a community hall in Cannock Wood and ran the Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw Musical Society. He also ran a youth drama group amongst a host of other community activities.

As a teenager he played for Wolves schoolboys and was a keen badminton player.

He leaves behind his wife Betty, daughter Sharron, son Darrell, and grand-daughters Emily, aged 18 and 15-year-old Bethany. He ran Terry's Transport for years from the family home in Chapel Lane, Gentleshaw.

Daughter Sharron Burns said: "He was an inspirational figure to his family and to many people in Cannock Wood and Gentleshaw. He did a lot for the two villages over the years. He ran the music society, a drama group for kids and was the driving force behind a successful fundraising campaign for a community hall in Cannock Wood.

"In 2007 he received an MBE from the Queen for his services to the community.

"It was a very proud moment for him and the Queen called him an 'all rounder.'

"He was a very good footballer in his time and played for Wolves as a schoolboy. He loved sport and was a keen badminton player.

"He was a wonderful father, a really popular man who would do anything for anybody. He is going to be sorely missed not just by his family but by his many friends." His son Darrell added: "He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and had suffered from four different types of the disease.

"He battled it but was told a month ago that it had returned and that nothing more could be done.

"He didn't tell us how long he had left.

"He was a wonderful father. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."

His funeral is set to take place at Christchurch in Gentleshaw on June 14 at 2pm followed by a reception at Gentleshaw Village Hall.

The family are requesting no flowers but donations to be given to Sharron Burns who will then split it between the family's chosen charities.

The family are advising people who attend the funeral that they don't need to wear black as it will be a celebration of his life.