Dr. James A. Burgess, Jr. went to his eternal home on Friday, February 18, 2022. He was a barber, a dentist, a rancher, a community servant, but most of all he was a child of God. He was proud of his community of Greenwood, Arkansas and loved the Greenwood Bulldogs and Arkansas Razorbacks.
Dr. Burgess was a 1949 graduate of Greenwood High School, graduate of Fort Smith Jr. College, University of Arkansas and University of Missouri School of Dentistry. He also received his barber license at the age of 16 which served him often while working his way through college. After graduating dental school, Dr. Burgess served the Greenwood community as a Dentist for 51 years. He also helped establish the Dental Hygienist program at UAFS and volunteered his time at the Community Dental Clinic.
Burgess served in the United States Navy during the Korean War before attending dental school in Kansas City. He later became a member of the Army National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In addition to serving his country, Dr. Burgess served on the following boards: MRDDS Board, Arkansas Pharmacy Board, Arkansas Dental Board, Degan Foundation Board, Sparks Hospital Board, Westark College Board, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Board, Greenwood Education Foundation Board, James Fork Water Users Association Board, Sebastian County Soil Conservation Board, and various other local boards and organizations. He also was a Liaison to Governor Frank White, member of Focus on Greenwood, assisted with the Trail of Lights project at Bell Park, was a member and Elder of Northside Church of Christ, and was President Elect of the UMKC Alumni Association. He and his wife, Myra were named Arkansas Parents of the Year and Dr. Burgess was named to the Greenwood Education Hall of Honor in 2008.
Dr. Burgess was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Burgess and Jewel Farrar Burgess, his stepmother, Mary Burgess and his son, Trey Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Myra of the home; two sisters, Yvonne Mizell of Greenwood and Linda Bewley (Bart) of Rogers, AR; one brother, John Paul Walker of Greenwood; one son, Dane Burgess (Tara); two daughters, Rozanne Sterling (Mark) and Suzanne Wilson (Don) all of Greenwood; nine grandchildren, Brooks Coatney (Amie) of Fayetteville, AR, Holly Elarbee (Glen) of Knoxville, TN, Ryan Sterling (Christen) of Greenwood, Taylor Sterling (Alexis) of Greenwood, Tyler Wilson of Little Rock AR, Allie Deacon (Adam) of Little Rock, AR, Jabe Burgess of Nashville, TN, Jax Burgess of Malibu, CA and Jett Burgess of Greenwood, AR and nine great grandchildren, Cruz Coatney, Cali Coatney, Crosby Coatney, Campbell Coatney, Griffin Elarbee, Peyton Sterling, Roman Sterling, Luxleigh Sterling and Davis Deacon.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 23 at the Greenwood Performing Arts Center with burial at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Tuesday from 2 – 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Brooks Coatney, Tyler Wilson, Jabe Burgess, Jax Burgess, Jett Burgess, Ryan Sterling and Taylor Sterling. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Howard Brownfield, Dr. Neal Treece, Dr. Paul Evans, Dr. Brent Dunavin, Paul Rush, Glenn McDaniel, Curtis Weaver, Jim Barker, Dr. Mark Bailey, Rusty Mizell, Randy Mizell, Travis Hawkins and Ken Edwards.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Greenwood Education Foundation, 420 North Main St. Greenwood, AR 72936.
