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Lance Burr Obituary

Lance W. Burr

Memorial services for Lance W. Burr, 70, Lawrence, KS will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2013 at Liberty Hall (642 Massachusetts St.) in Lawrence, KS. Inurnment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the Gypsum Hill Cemetery in Salina, KS. He died on Monday, May 13, 2013 at his home in Lawrence after a ten year battle with Parkinson's disease.

Lance was born on November 22, 1942 in Salina, KS, the son of Sheldon and June Dahlberg Burr. He grew up in Salina and graduated from Salina High School in 1961.

He was a graduate of the University of Kansas in 1965 and the University of Kansas School of Law in 1968. While at KU, he played tennis and was a Big Eight tennis champion in 1964 and President of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity in 1965.

Lance was a longtime Lawrence attorney, activist, conservationist, environmentalist and landlord. He practiced law for many years and specialized in Native American Law. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General in Kansas and ran for Attorney General on two occasions. At one time, he was the Attorney General for the Kickapoo Nation in Kansas and Nebraska. He also did legal work for the Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation, and the Sac and Fox tribes of Kansas. He was instrumental in obtaining rights for the Kansas Indian tribes to legalize reservation casinos with then Governor Joan Finney. He also owned a small business, Restorations Unlimited, in Lawrence.

He was a member of the Kansas and Douglas County Bar Associations. He was a co-founder and the first president of the Friends of the Kaw. He taught Native American Law at Haskell Indian Nations University. He argued cases in federal and state supreme courts for conservation issues, Indian federal and state rights, gaming laws, and the preservation of numerous historic and architecturally unique buildings in Douglas County. Lance had a lively sense of humor. He loved travel (foreign and domestic), music, animals, motorcycle riding, and KU basketball.

He is survived by a daughter, Desireé Burr, of Lawrence, KS; a son and daughter-in-law, Dustin and Misty Burr, of Lawrence, KS; his father, Sheldon Burr, of Salina, KS; a brother, Steve Burr, of Salina, KS and two step-grandchildren, Gus and Daisy Warren. He was preceded in death by his mother.

The family suggests memorials in his name to the American Indian College Fund and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family will greet friends from 5-8 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com.

Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on May 16, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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Jane Caswell

August 12, 2013

Lance was my landlord at 7th & New York in the 90's. He was a kind, lively conversationalist. He meticulously maintained the property. He is missed!

Charley Laman

May 30, 2013

Lance was one of my mentors in Indian Law, but moreover he was my friend.

Bill Murdock

May 27, 2013

Though separated by few years at the DU House, Lance and I became friends in the "waiting room' at the Kappa house. In addition to Kappas, We shared a mutual interest in motorcycles. We took our first trip together leaving Lawrence for 3-weeks, knowing nothing more than that we were going to California. Several other trips were on bicycles which gave us greater opportunity to socialize with the "locals." People took an interest in Lance because he always took an interest in them. I never heard him say a negative word about anyone. He will be missed. God had brought himself another interesting conversa-tionalist, for sure. Warm wishes for Dustin and Desere. Lance was loved dearly and will be missed by many.

mike helbert

May 21, 2013

To my first tennis instructor in Salina, Kansas, I will miss you. Lance, you arrived to teach tennis to a bunch of adolescent boys in a pink, Cadillac Convertible. I can still see you. Later you introduced us to competitive tennis as well as Indian motorcycles. I have always thought that you had the guts to be you and that pink Cadillac in 1963 was the perfect symbol of the Lance Burr that I knew. Rest well, my friend.

Terry Breason

May 20, 2013

Most insperational things that I have ever had, besides meeting Lance Burr. I had the pleasure of celebrating his Life.

Diane Tegtmeier

May 20, 2013

In deep gratitude to Lance for all his good work and friendship. I'll always remember his warmth, humor and loving nature.

Charly Pottorff

May 20, 2013

When I first saw "Question Authority" on your bumper sticker, I knew we had a lot in common. Thanks for all the great memories, my old friend. Charly Pottorff

May 20, 2013

a is one of the most interesting and enjoyable people I have ever known . He always fought the good fight. Lance your zest for life will be greatly missed. Mick Allen.

Terry J. Clark

May 19, 2013

Sorry for the loss of a fine person. I knew Lance from the old days when he ran for state office, I got to know him and his family. God be with him and all the family and friends. From a X-Kansan of Wyandotte County. Terry J. Clark Villach Austria Europe

Le-Thu

May 17, 2013

Save a dance for me on the other side! =) I know you're in a better place, but I sure miss you my friend! I am going to miss your bright and beautiful smile and all your wonderful hugs. ~L2

May 17, 2013

Via con Dios Lance Burr! Your life has left an imprint of one lived with "gusto" and meaning and contribution! Wishing you an expansive "continuation" on the "other side"!
Jane (McDowell)Merica

May 17, 2013

Lawrence, Kansas has lost a good man and he will be sorely missed. Through our daughter, Ronda, we got to be involved with the 'Burr' family. Our hearts go out to you all.

May 17, 2013

As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love and pain that God feels for you. Isaiah 63:9
With Deep Sympathy

Joseph Goodman

May 17, 2013

Lance was a true Kansas original, a cynosure to all of us who care about improving governance for those who dwell in the prairie, settler and native alike.

Janet (Magdeburg) Joy

May 16, 2013

Lance, your presence at our reunions will be missed. You made life interesting and fun when you were present. I'll always cherish your filibusters in Edna Maude Smith's history class in high school. Rest in peace......

May 16, 2013

Lynne Pyle (Merrell) you will be missed my friend

Dennis Constance

May 16, 2013

Always the warrior for justice.

Randy and Marty Ragle

May 16, 2013

Here is to all the good times we had together, Lance. Rest in Peace.

Bill Peak

May 16, 2013

I am sorry to hear this. He helped me try to save a historic property years ago. I enjoyed his company. Need more people like him.

Whitney Damron

May 16, 2013

I enjoyed working with Lance Burr over the years with the Kickapoo Tribe and getting to know him in the process. He was caring, kind, smart and generous. All my best to his friends and family. Whitney Damron

curtis kekahbah

May 16, 2013

Peace out bro...thanks for all your help "back in the day"..you will be missed..

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Funeral services provided by:

Warren-McElwain Mortuary & Cremation Services - Lawrence Chapel

120 W 13th St, Lawrence, KS 66044

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