Garnet Olee Burgess

On Monday, the 6th of September, 2010, Garnet O. Burgess went to be with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Garnet was born August 24, 1933 to Opal Dick and Otto Burgess in Cameron County Texas. He was predeceased by his Father and Mother.

Survived by his wife, of 55 years, Joyce Wolcott Burgess; daughters, Debra Ratliff and husband John, Dawn Dale and husband Duane, Dianne Lange and husband Rod, son David Burgess and wife Tracy. Garnet and Joyce have four wonderful grandchildren: Sarah and Emily Placker and Avery and Samuel Dale. Each one held a special place in Garnet's heart. He is also survived by three brothers: Beryl, Fred and Warren, and many wonderful friends at Hyde Park Baptist Church. After graduating San Benito High School he went on to graduate from Texas A&I University in 1955. He was honored in Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities, as well as being selected Cadet Colonel of the ROTC program in his senior year. He served as a Signal Officer in Germany for two years with special assignments in Paris, France. He had an interesting and rewarding life in service to this great nation in both the U.S. Military and in Federal service. Numerous awards and many special assignments came to him during his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He started in New York City then to Brownsville, TX holding positions as Inspector, Entomologist, Assistant Officer in Charge and Officer in Charge of the Plant Inspection Station. He earned graduate hours credit toward a Masters Degree at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. in Advanced Insect Identification. During the time in Brownsville he had assignments in Mexico treating agricultural products

for entry into the U.S. Special insect surveys in avocados was done over a three year time span in Mexico. He was able to meet and or work with many interesting people including Prince Philip (of Great Britain), General Creigton Abrams and General Robert Bernstein. One such assignment took him to Vietnam in 1971 for 5 months assisting the U.S. Military to

remove military equipment. He was promoted to Assistant Area Director in Miami, Fl. Subsequent assignments were to Austin, TX, Houston Intercontinental Airport, Laredo, TX, and lastly as Assistant Regional Director in Brownsville, TX. He retired in 1990. Hyde Park Baptist Church family was so caring and supportive to Garnet these last 4 years. They held him up in prayer while on their knees. Thank God for these special caring Christians who have for so long stayed close asking God to meet Garnet's needs. Clearly he saw God's mercy and God's will in his life. So many touched his life in love and prayer. He always shared with others that angels (both seen and unseen) were around, not only him, but those he loved and those that held him up in prayer. The family wishes to acknowledge the professional and personal care given by Dr. Demetrius

Loukas. Thanks to all the staff at Texas Oncology for their exceptional support and to our friends at HPBC, especially Adult III who have personally ministered with love, prayers, cards, phone calls during his long struggle with cancer. To the many friends with which Garnet worked with while employed with USDA-APHIS PPQ, that have continued to stay in touch

during these trying years. Thank you for your prayers, caring spirit, telephone calls, visits, and support. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Thursday, the 9th of September from 4 o’clock to 7 o’clock in the evening at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin. A memorial service will be held in Hyde Park Baptist Church 3901 Speedway, Austin, Texas at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 10th of September 2010, with Dr. J. Kie Bowman officiating. There will be a private family interment in the Cook-Walden Capital Parks. In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Hyde Park Baptist School, 3901 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.