“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Mitchell Burns loved shade trees. And Parks. And inviting loved ones, or anybody who wanted to be included, into joining one of his grand gab sessions under numerous shade trees in countless parks around the world throughout his too short life. With a glint in his eye, Mitchell gleefully would ensnare his oftentimes unwitting fellows into a jolly meandering debate, thereby employing the green space as a place to throw shade as much as to sit under it. Mitchell loved bringing people together who wouldn’t normally mix and found diversity amongst his fellows to be the true spice of life, an element of his personality personified in the natural makeup and population of public parks. A place he felt there was no criteria for acceptance, free to all, where anyone and everyone was welcome. Mitchell found much of his inspiration there as well. The park was a place of rest as well as peace for him. It was there he journaled his best works and formulated his best ideas to be used in his professional life to diffuse conflict worldwide and promote equality. He loved giving a voice to the voiceless.

As a member of the Youth Leadership Exchange program in 2013. Mitchell had the opportunity to work alongside local city government

officials on the creation of Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. As they say, “Only the good die young,” the Burns Family, and indeed the world, lost Mitchell’s bright light far too early. His family thought it only fitting and could think of no better way to honor his legacy then to establish “Mitchell’s Shade”. A community program designed to bring people together to celebrate life, honor a loved one, and put a bit of color and oxygen (hot air even!) back into our world.

In Loving Memory

John Mitchell Burns

May 10, 1996 - June 23, 2023

Lover of parks, a friend to the forgotten

a champion for all mankind.