For most of us, if we make it to mark 82 years on the earth, that time likely will be a quiet one with retirement and probably some solitude on our minds.

But for Johnny Burr age didn’t stop him from serving his community.

For more than a quarter of a century Burr worked as a crossing guard outside area school buildings. His most recent assignment was to man the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and Aldridge streets outside Cathedral Elementary School for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon.

He was out there in the rain.

He was out there in the cold.

And he was out there in the oppressive summer heat.

He was out there to keep traffic flowing and to keep motorists and children safe.

Burr said he enjoyed the job because it got him out of the house and into the public, which was particularly useful after he lost his wife four years ago.

Sadly, Burr was killed Wednesday as he drove away from his afternoon shift.

His vehicle collided with another just a short distance from the intersection he faithfully guarded for many years.

Burr will be missed by the parents, faculty, staff and children who saw him daily as he did his job.

His dedication and faithfulness will not soon be forgotten.