 JOSEPH BURGESS, Jr.MERRITT ISLAND Joseph Roland J.R. Burgess, Jr., 75, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at his residence in Merritt Island, Florida. JR was born at home on December 15, 1928 in Midnight, Mississippi on Daylight Road. He was born to Joseph Roland Burgess and Nettie Lora Vance Burgess. He was the ninth of eleven children. He was the president of his high school senior class and graduated as salutatorian. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Brevard Community College in 1974. He volunteered for the United States Air Force on February 8, 1950 and married Kathleen Johnson on September 16, 1952. JR received an honorable discharge in 1954. With is experience in missiles he was hired as a Technical Supervisor in missile propellants with Pan American World Airways. He was a pioneer in the space program. Pan Am had the contract to support the Eastern Test Range and the Missile Program at Cape Canaveral. He remained with Pan Am for 15 years. In the early 1970s he had his own window installation business. JR retired from Brevard County in December 1992, as the Chief Engineering Inspector. JR was an active member of First Baptist Church of Merritt Island since September 1954. He loved his family and church family. His passion was serving his Savior. JR taught 11-year-old boys, Sunday School Class for 15 years, was the chairman of the Board of Trustees for FBCMI for several years, and served on several different committees. JR was an active deacon for over 45 years and was Deacon Emeritus at the time of his ascension. JR is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen Johnson Burgess of Merritt Island; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mike and Deborah Burgess Wise of Claxton and Jim and Amy Burgess Bostick of Orlando; three grandchildren, Aaron and Asha Wise of Clax ton and Beauregard Bostick of Orlando; three sisters, Elaine Burgess Haney of Ruleville, Miss., Ruth Burgess Bang of Moss Point, Miss., and Nettie Bell Burgess Tallant of Phoenix, Ariz.; one brother, Dr. Charles Duane Burgess of Hattiesburg, Miss.; and many beloved nieces and nephews. The viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 18th, at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home in Frontenac. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 19th, at First Baptist Church of Merritt Island. Rev. Bob Rowell and Rev. Len Turner will be officiat ing. Pall Bearers are Buddy Vickers, Vernon Wise, Gordon Burleson, Bill Craft, Bill Coch ran, Virgil Duduit, Jerry Turner and Scott Stilwell. Honorary Pall Bearers are the Early Risers Sunday School Class, Deacons and Deacons Emeritus of FBCMI. Interment will be at Brevard Me morial Park. |
