Nicholas Christopher Burns

Nicholas Christopher (Zawodny) Burns tragically departed this world on May 20, 2021 at the age of 40.  Nicholas had the opportunity to live in many places across the country, but always considered the Indianapolis area home. Nick moved many times as a child and attended several schools before settling on the west side of Indianapolis for junior high and high school where he graduated from Ben Davis High School. It was here that Nicholas met the love of his life and future wife Cara.

Nicholas had a lifelong love of fitness that started in High School where he captained the swim team and continued throughout his life as he gained interest in power lifting and many other sports. After High School, Nicholas decided to serve his country while continuing his education by joining the Army National Guard and attending Indiana University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Informatics.  During his junior year of college Nick was called to active duty Army where he honorably served in Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was awarded three Army Achievement awards along with an Army Commendation Medal.

Upon return from deployment, Nick and Cara married on June 19, 2004.  In 2010, Nick and Cara were living in Chicago where they had their son Colin.  In 2012 they moved to Austin, TX where they were blessed with their daughter Jenna.  Nick and Cara decided to move home to the Indianapolis area in 2015 to be close to family. Nick was an extremely supportive husband when it came to his wife’s career and he always put her aspirations above his own.

Nick was known for his kind heart, his love and acceptance of everyone, and his caring and giving spirit.  He loved fitness, trees, Whitney Houston, camping, overly loud rap music, and most of all his family. You could count on Nick to show up at your door just to say hi or bring you something you weren’t expecting.

When his children were asked what they wanted to share about their dad they wanted everyone to know how much he shared with others, cared about others, loved taking his family out for ice cream, and how he was simply the best and strongest dad ever.  One of their favorite things about their dad was how he ventured to a volcano and befriended a dragon to put in their attic to keep them safe at night.

Nicholas is survived by his wife Cara Burns, son Colin Burns, daughter Jenna Burns, mother Mona Lisa Cook (Jesse), father Kenneth Zawodny (Carmen), sister Anastasia Waldrop (James), brother Kenneth Zawodny III (Ashley), nephews Hudson and Roman Waldrop, niece Elliana Waldrop, mother-in-law Susan Burns, father-in-law Ian Johnston, best friend Nate Meyer (Sierra), and neighbors who became like family Jeremy and Patty Lynn.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 3-6 PM at Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis.  Funeral Services will begin at 6 PM.

If you unable to attend and would like to join his service virtually, click here.

In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution in Nick’s memory to the Get Head Strong organization.  They provide free mental health treatment for veterans and their families. They can be found at https://getheadstrong.org/