Obituary of Mr. Richard Eugene Burgess
Richard Burgess Obituary
TIME TO BE BORN:
Richard Eugene Burgess was born August 30, 1929 to the late Arzera Griffin and Josh Burgess in Bunkie, Louisiana.
A TIME TO PLANT:
He was baptized at an early age at Oakland Baptist Missionary Church by the late Rev. Charles McGruder in Chambers, Louisiana. He served on the Finance Committee and a member of the Deacon Ministry.
A TIME TO LEARN:
He was educated in Rapides Parish. He graduated from Gambling State University in 1962 and received his Master’s Degree from Southern University in 1966.
A TIME TO SERVE:
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army active duty from June 1948 to June 1957. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from August 1960 to August 1989 as a Chief Warrant Officer. He began his career as an educator in 1960 with the Rapides Parish School Board: serving as a teacher in Montgomery, LA, teaching at Aaron Street Elementary School, served as Assistant Principal at Glenmore, LA and later became Director of Child Welfare and Attendance where he retired in 1994.
He received many awards: VFW Post #8852 – 15 years of service, LACWAP – Director 1967-1994, and Chairman of the Board at Renaissance.
A TIME TO DIE:
Richard departed this life at 5:51 A.M. Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana.
A TIME TO REMEMBER:
He was married to Lena Muriel Burnstine Burgess in 1956 who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his father, Josh Burgess Jr., his mother Arzera Griffin Brown, his stepfather Clarence Brown, his sister, Ella B. Johnson and his 2 best buddies Willie Hall and Howard Joffirion.
HE LEAVES A LEGACY OF LOVED ONES:
His Daughter Linda J. Burgess, Alexandria, LA , LA
His Granddaughter Lisa (Mark) Henton, Pineville
His Niece Doris Ray, Houston, TX
His Grandsons Douglas Ray, Atlanta, GA and Richard Ray, Houston, TX
His Godchildren Sandra Vallien, Alexandria, LA
A Devoted Friend Kwajalein “Ms. Kay” Jackson, Alexandria, LA
A host of nieces, nephews, cousin and other relatives and friends.
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