Obituary for Thomas M. Burns: November 30, 1942 to September 25, 2025

Thomas M. Burns, 82, longtime Las Vegas attorney and a proud U.S. Army veteran, dad, and papa, passed away September 25, 2025, at his home after a long battle with cancer.

Born November 30, 1942, in Yerington, NV. Tom was the fourth of eight children of John Hugh “Jack” and Frances Burns. Tom enjoyed being part of a large family and growing up in Yerington. He attended grammar, junior high, and high school in Yerington. He was involved in various activities including football, track,basketball, student council, and 4-H. When he wasn’t busy with school and related activities, he could be found working in his dad’s grocery store, the Lyon Market.

After graduating from Yerington High School in 1960, he went on to the University of Nevada (Reno), where he joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, was a member of the Sundowners, and was elected senior class president. Additionally, he enrolled in the advanced ROTC program and, upon graduation, received a B.S. in physical education, and a minor in business. His fondest memories of college were all tied to the ATO house and the Sundowners, where life-long friendships were built over good times shared.

In 1970, Captain Burns was honorably discharged from the Army, and moved with his family to Alameda, CA, so he could pursue his J.D. from Hastings College of Law at the University of California. After graduating in 1973, Tom and his family moved to Las Vegas, where Tom began his career as a law clerk and then deputy for the Clark County Public Defender’s office. He then practiced law at the firm Bell, Leavitt & Green, then briefly formed Swanson, Momot, & Burns, before starting his own firm, Thomas M. Burns, Ltd., which was located on the same corner in Las Vegas for more than four decades.

Tom spent over 50 years practicing law in Las Vegas and truly enjoyed helping his clients with their legal needs. Over those years, he formed many lasting friendships, and, in his final days, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone that helped support him, his career, and his firm. He was also extremely thankful to his assistant, Jessica, and her family for their help at the office and getting him around town.

Outside of work, Burns cherished time with his family, especially annual Memorial Day reunions in Yerington. He loved reading, doing the daily RJ crossword puzzle, hunting in the Nevada wilderness, western movies (mostly those with John Wayne), gardening, cooking, and sports (especially cheering on his kids, grandkids and the 49rs). He also enjoyed family road trips – mainly to Yerington, Lawton, OK, and Twin Lakes, CA – all of Tom’s favorite places.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, he, along with close friends, owned the Bunkhouse Saloon in downtown Las Vegas, a popular gathering place for the legal community.

Known as “Rock” to his family, he was admired for his strength, resilience, and practical reason.

Tom is survived by his children: Mitchell and his wife, Corinne and their sons, Mason and Walker of Dayton, NV; Jennifer and her husband, Jim Black, and their daughter, Katie of Las Vegas; and Molly and her husband, Brandon Makridis, and their children, Bryce and Rylie of Las Vegas. He is also survived by his siblings, Bob, Kathy, Pat, Mary, and Joe and his wife, Mary, along with their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Judy, and his siblings John and Mike.

A funeral Mass will be held on November 8 at 12:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Yerington, followed by a celebration in Tom’s honor. In addition, a Mass will be offered in his memory on Sunday, November 30, at 8:00 a.m. at St. Viator in Las Vegas, with a celebration that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nevada Veterans Foundation (nevadavets.org) or the V Foundation for Cancer Research (v.org) in Tom’s memory.