Dr. (Mark) Judson Burns, 41, of Columbia passed away on May 8, 2024. He was born in Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, NC on December 6, 1982. He was baptized on December 26, 1982, at Fort Bragg and confirmed on May 18, 1997, at St. Paul Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Napoleon, Ohio. He was the son of John and Betty Burns.

Judson loved the outdoors. He spent countless hours hunting and fishing with his daughter. He was a weapons expert, gun collector, and lifetime member of the NRA. Dentistry was Judson's first career choice. Being a soldier and serving his country was dear to him as well.

He attended The Ohio State University, graduating with a BS in Arts and Sciences in 2008 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2012. While at OSU, he was proud to earn four varsity letters on the pistol team. He completed a one-year clinical implant fellowship in 2022 at Augusta College.

Judson enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in June of 2000. He was deployed to Mosul, Iraq in 2005 where under enemy attack he earned the Army Combat Action Badge. After completing dental school, he served four years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Fort Jackson, SC. He worked for several local dentists before acquiring his own practice, Midlands Family Dental, in 2018. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 2022.

He was a wonderful dad, a proud soldier, and a great dentist.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter Jillian Burns, brother Jeremy (Michelle) Burns, sister Johnna (Seth) Askins, seven nieces and nephews, Hannah, Reid, Ross, Lucy, Brooks, Chet, and Callan.

The committal service will be held August 2, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery with military honors. The cemetery is located at 4170 Percival Road, Columbia. A reception will follow the committal service at the Gregg Park Clubhouse, 71 Gregg Parkway, Columbia. Shives Funeral Home on Trenholm Road is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Give an Hour.org or a charity of the donor's choice. Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.