Anthony "Tony" Ray Burns

Anthony “Tony” Ray Burns of Mars Hills, NC passed away unexpectedly Monday evening, September 16, 2024, at his home.

Tony was born December 28, 1956 in Spartanburg, SC. He was raised in New Prospect, a small community in northern Spartanburg County. He was the son of the late Eugene Burns and Mary Jane Haynes Burns.

As a boy, Tony loved to be outside following his grandfather around the farm and playing with cousins. He joined the local Boy Scout Troop and was inducted into The Order of the Arrow which he was very proud of. Tony attended, and was a member of, New Prospect Baptist Church where he was a Royal Ambassador. He started his love of sports while playing softball with the RA’s. In Mabry Jr. High, his love of sports grew even more when he joined the football and basketball teams. Entering high school at Chapman High, he added baseball to his resume. As a teenager and adult, he continued to play basketball and softball through the church league. Tony continued to play basketball well into his forties and was heartbroken when his body would not allow him to play any longer.

Tony was an avid South Carolina Gamecock fan and took many trips to Columbia to their football and basketball games to root for the teams. If he couldn’t see the team in person, he would never miss a game on television and cheer them on from home. He often said his blood was “garnet red.”

Tony was a free spirit in every sense of the word and a true nonconformist. He colored outside the lines and thought outside of the box. He never felt limited by rules or social standards. He was our Peter Pan and never wanted to grow up.

It did surprise his family when he moved to Asheville in his mid-thirties. He loved the mountains and found a community of people he connected with. As a boy, he taught himself to play the guitar and was a natural talent. He loved music and was a member of several bands in the Asheville area.

Tony had many jobs over the years but found his niche working at The Octopus Garden in downtown Asheville. Tony thrived there for several years, being enjoyed by everyone, young and old, and they would come in just to talk with him about music and life in general.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Julie Horne (Wayne), a niece, Meghan Mauldin (John), a nephew, Tyler Horne (Jessie), and two great-nephews, Clayton and Ladson Mauldin, all of Green Creek, NC, his lifelong best friend Earl Morris of Inman, SC and his beloved dog Obie. His roommates, Patti and Twan. And, his many cousins and friends he made along the way.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity or animal shelter of your choice.

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