Jeffrey Bruce "Jeff" Burns

Jeffrey Bruce Burns passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 17, 2026 at Saint Luke’s Hospice House, after a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure. He was born on May 6, 1958 to Daniel Bernard and Joan Elizabeth (Elkins) Burns in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Raymore-Peculiar High School in 1977. He went to work for Kansas City Piggyback, where he was a truck driver. After other business ventures, his love of classic cars led him to opening Hot Rod Express in 1995, with his partners Mike Winfrey and Rick Hunter, who became dear friends. Jeff loved restoring hot rods until his health struggles prohibited him from doing so and he retired in 2005. He carried on with projects at home and tinkering in his garage.

Jeff met Lori (Corum) at Kansas City Piggyback in the summer of 1980. They married in 1981 and had two children, Jessica Elizabeth and Jeffrey Justin. His family brought him great joy. He cherished memories of driving cross-country on road trips, camping in the backyard, swimming with his kids in the pool at his home, and driving with the windows down while blasting The Eagles on a good aftermarket stereo. His cherished title as Poppy came years later when his granddaughters Tessa, Lexi and Stella were born. His love for them knew no limits, as evidenced by his allowance for them to play on his drum set.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister, Julie (Burns) Ginnings. He is survived by his wife Lori of Parkville, Missouri; daughter Jessica (Evan) and his granddaughters Tessa, Lexi and Stella, of Parkville, Missouri; his son Justin of Kansas City, Missouri; his brother Danny (Marla) of Durango, Colorado; his sister Amy of Liberty, Missouri; and his brother-in-law Kevin Ginnings and his family, of Harrisonville, Missouri.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 2:00 PM at Speak’s Suburban chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jeff's honor to Saint Luke's Hospice House.