Jack Grant Burgess

Born in Osage, OK on January 28, 1928 to Beulah (Thomas) and Grant Burgess, his family moved to Arizona when he was about seven years old. WWII was ongoing throughout his teen years and Jack witnessed almost all the young men going off to war, including his older brother, “Pete”. Jack joined the Merchant Marines while he was a teenager, and sailed to the Philippines on a supply ship. Then, at age 17 he joined the US Marine Corp until his discharge after the war. At that time he married his first wife, Jolene Hight. He then joined the Army Air Corp and took part in the Berlin Air Lift.

After his military service and still following in his brother’s footsteps, Jack started working in construction. He eventually got a job as a surveying aid for Butte County Public Works Dept. in CA. He spent most of his career there working in road design and construction as an Assistant Civil Engineer Tech. He met his second wife, Mary Anderson, there. They were married in Redding, CA 1980 and settled in Olympia, WA in 1985. Jack enjoyed his retirement in Olympia, spending his time vegetable gardening, raising fruit trees, and spending time with his family. Jack had a passion for sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others and enjoyed leading an adult Sunday school class at Olympia First Baptist Church. He also loved to visit and share stories with his buddies in the STARS program at the Lacey Senior Center.

Jack is survived by his wife, Mary, daughters Janice (Dennis) Stamm of Anna, TX, Becky Burgess of Olympia, sons Jim (Bev) Burgess and Joel (Karen) Burgess of Yuba City, CA, Tony Burgess of Olympia, eight grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Edith Carter, and his brother Richard (Pete) Burgess.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Stella Thalhamer for her excellent care, the staff at The Hampton Alzheimer’s Special Care Center, Tumwater for their loving, compassionate care, and the staff and volunteers at STARS, for bringing joy and laughter to Jack’s final years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Olympia First Baptist Church, 904 Washington St SE, Olympia WA on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jack’s memory to Senior Services for South Sound (for the STARS Program) 222 Columbia St NW, Olympia WA 98501, or to First Baptist Church (for Table Grace feeding ministry).

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.