Smsgt. George L. Burgess, Sr., Usaf (Ret.)

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve 2022, our loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, George L. Burgess, Sr., joined his Lord and Savior in Heaven. He passed away at home surrounded by family and the memories of 80 years well-lived.

Born in Ocala, FL on August 31, 1942, George was the son of the late Isaac Burgess, Sr. and Roberta Morand Burgess. He was a 1962 graduate of Howard High School where he excelled at football and later enlisted to serve his country in the United States Air Force. George spent a successful 26 years and 8 months in the military as a security supervisor having attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant before retiring. While serving in the Air Force, George graduated from Minot State University in Minot, ND with degrees in Business Administration, Speaking and Math, and enjoyed teaching at City College in Chicago, IL. George was not content to sit around in his military retirement, so he began a career as a Security Coordinator for the Macon Housing Authority and substitute taught for the Houston County Board of Education.

Among his desire for higher education and his successful military and civilian careers, George was a faithful follower of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a devout member of Fellowship Bible Baptist Church where he served as an usher and sang in the choir. George also had a deep affection for the water; he taught swimming lessons at church, was a scuba diver, and loved to go boating and fishing. He was also a member of the American Legion and was a Mason.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Elvin Burgess, Benjamin Burgess, Daisy Green and Willie Lee Burgess.

George’s memory will forever be treasured by his loving wife of 56 years, Eloise Burgess; children, Paula Watkins (Jason), George L. Burgess, Jr. (Emma) and Claudette Durr; grandchildren, Sidney Burgess, Alexander Burgess, Anna Dykes, Anthony Karsti, Michael Burgess and Angelina Burgess; great-grandson, Keenan Burgess; and siblings, Mae Agnes Brooks, Isaac Burgess, Jr., Clyde Burgess, Eather-Mae Stewart and Cynthia Bennett.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December 30, 2022, at Fellowship Bible Baptist Church with Pastor Tolan Morgan officiating. George will be laid to rest in Magnolia Park Cemetery following the service.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.