Jesse Paul Burns Jr.

Jesse Paul Burns Jr., age 82, of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026. Paul was born on January 5, 1944, in Athens, TN as the only child of J. Paul Burns Sr. and Florence (Lawson) Burns. Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17, served in Vietnam and met the love of his life. He had an exceptional Naval career and was considered a “Mustang”. Rising from a young, enlisted service member to a high-ranking officer, he was highly valued for his knowledge in Anesthesia, his leadership maturity and his ability to bridge the gap between the enlisted troops and the officer corps. Paul was a proud Captain in the U.S. Navy serving with honor and distinction. He built a life anchored in service to his country, deep love of his family and the adventure of travel. He treasured his years in uniform and all the friends he made while serving. Many of those friends would become close family that he valued for decades. After retiring from the military, he continued his career at Knoxville Anesthesia Group, reuniting with friends from his college days and touching many lives in the process.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Molly (Wattenbarger) Lawson; his parents Jesse Paul and Florence (Lawson) Burns; and the absolute love of his life, his wife, partner and first girlfriend, Michiko (Kataoka) Burns. Surviving are his dear children, Michele (Burns) and Mark Reminga, J. Paul Burns III and Jane (Balch) Burns and Dr. Christina (Burns) and Douglas Stockwell; his cherished grandchildren, Chelsea and Haley Reminga, Taylor Mayfield, J Paul “PB” Burns IV, Dougie Stockwell and Peyton Shaw; Paul is also survived by very close friends, Bao and Duyet Bui; and Family who brought years of laughter, ice cream, food and love. His wonderful caregivers, Maritez and Sarah, who were invaluable to him and his wife in their later years, providing excellent care, companionship and helping to maintain their dignity at the end of their amazing lives.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel, 4131 East Emory Road, Knoxville, TN 37938. A reception will follow at The Pirate Tavern, 1207 N. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917.

Captain Jesse Paul Burns, JR., USN, Ret. Will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in our Nation’s Capital.

His legacy endures in the lives he shaped, the service he rendered and the adventures he embraced. Our Dad was loved beyond mere words.