Don Columbus Burney was born on December 19, 1934 to the late Columbus and Gertrude Hudson Burney in Baldwin, La. He graduated from the St. Mary Parish Public School System. After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Denver, Colorado for four years; he received an honorable discharge. Don married at an early age and to this union Michael was born. He came to Cleveland in the 1960’s when jobs were plentiful and thriving. He worked at J & L Steel which was later renamed LTV Steel.  He married Dr. Gwendolyn D. Perry on November 19, 1997. He retired from LTV on May 31, 1998. Prior to his death, Don was a vibrant healthy man and had never been hospitalized. He died on May 3, 2021 after undergoing multiple surgeries.

Don accepted Christ at an early age. He was a Trustee at Bethel AME Church in Monongahela, Pa, and a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Donora, Pa. While employed at The University of Akron Gwen was recruited to help start a graduate social work program at California University of Pennsylvania. They resided there for 17 years before returning to Macedonia, Oh. Don loved fishing, working around the house on special projects, traveling, and hosting social events with family and friends at their home.  He was famous for catching fish at Mosquito Lake and inviting family, friends, and neighbors over to savor his catch. While in Pa he often returned to Oh to fish at the lake. Don was well liked and respected. He was a man of integrity and forthrightness and was honest. From his childhood until his last breath, Don took a great deal of pride in his appearance, and love for his wife. Both loved to travel, and Don could not wait until she had winter and spring breaks so they could vacation in the United States, and abroad. He loved walking the ocean, visiting historical places, meeting, and dining with locals, and visiting with family and friends. Before they were married until the COVID-19 pandemic they had yearly planned vacations. He especially loved to take bus excursions with Pa friends. In 2019 Michael came to Macedonia to visit his dad. Of course, Don took him to his favorite lake. He enjoyed the father and son bond that they shared.

Among those bearing this loss are his wife, Sasha (Shih Tzu); son, Michael of Denver, Co; sisters: Menthola Alexis, and Lucille Martin of Port Arthur, Tx, Delores Hayes of Sun City, Ca, Marva Richard, Betty Mouton, and Doris Owens of Baldwin, La.; brothers:  Ronald (Roslyn) Burney of Baldwin, La, Michael (Lois) Burney of Houston, Tx; granddaughter, Michelle; mother -in-law, Laura Perry; brother-in-law, Anthony Perry (Kimberly); sisters-in-law, Gloria Acy and Rufaro Perry of Cleveland, Oh, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relative and friends from Ohio and Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Columbus and Mildred Burney, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents, one brother Sanders Burney Sr., and one sister, Verna Burney.