Steve Burgess

Kermit “Steve” Burgess was born on June 29th, 1950 in Pensacola, FL to James Joel Kermit and Erdis Shell Burgess and from there made his mark on this world. Steve met Vicki Davis, the love of his life, and they were married in 1971. Steve was devoted to his wife and children, Nikki and Shawn, his grandchildren and their many animals. He was an avid fisherman, who could always put you onto the right spot where the big ones were. He also loved to attend Gator football games with Vicki and had a love of classic cars. He was always known for his big smile and disarming personality.

Steve had a long 34 year successful career with the Internal Revenue Service where he finished his career as a National Director, SBSE Examination Division. His career took the family to many cities across the country where Steve and Vicki made lifelong friends at every stop. Always a tireless worker, Steve went to work as a Tax Director for Deloitte Tax LLP after retiring from the IRS. He then pursued a career with International Monetary Fund as a Technical Advisor to Foreign Governments, before his health finally forced him to retire. But you could still catch him on Linkedin from time to time, always ready to tackle the next big challenge. He loved to travel and he and Vicki traveled to many places around the world.

Steve battled multiple cancers and illnesses for many years. You would never hear him complain about the pain or his health and he made the most of every day God gave him on this Earth. Steve and Vicki Burgess are very active in Chet’s Creek Church, volunteering both their hearts and time in service of the Lord. Steve has made many close friendships at Chet’s Creek Church and they have become like an extended family to him. He volunteered his time at Chet’s Creek Church, Gabriel House and at Mayo Hospital, where he would bring his Caring Canine Jack around to visit and cheer up the patients and families in the waiting rooms. He was always ready to help a stranger in need, often times going above and beyond to try to help them better their circumstances. Steve dreamed big and lived even bigger. At family gatherings, he’d be the first to make us all laugh or take to the dance floor at a wedding to shake his two left feet. Though he couldn’t hold a tune, he sang in the church choir.

Steve was always known for his happy spirit, unassuming personality and quickness to make a joke. He had a knack for making anyone feel at home and welcome. Despite some of the more daunting challenges that life threw in the way, the love for his kids and his wife never wavered, nor did his genuine zest for life. He was truly a man of exceptional character, faith and lovingness. He gave far more to this world than he ever took. Though the Lord has decided to call him home, he will be forever missed by his family.

Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Kermit and Erdis Burgess, brother-in-law Benny Watkins and son-in-law Jeff Braswell. Steve is survived by his wife Vicki (Davis) Burgess, daughter Nikki Braswell, son Shawn Burgess, (Kirsten) Burgess, and grandsons, Tristan and Asher McEneaney (their father Ian McEneaney) and Brooks and Brady Burgess. He is also survived by his sister Fran Watkins Bass, (Ken), by his brother Dale Burgess, (Ann), brother-in-law Jim Davis, (Suzanne) and many relatives and friends. Steve is also survived by his beloved pets, dogs Jack and Jill, and three cats Baby Boo, Garth and Tigger.

Visitation with the Burgess family will be held on Monday, March 20th from 5PM-8PM at Hardage-Giddens Beaches Chapel Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL. The celebration of Steve Burgess’s life will be held at Chet’s Creek Church, 4420 Hodges Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL on Tuesday, March 21st at 11AM. The burial will be at 1PM in the H. Warren Smith Cemetery at 1538 2nd Avenue North, in Jacksonville Beach at the corner of Penman Road and Beach Boulevard. Pallbearers will be David Burgess, Taylor Wells, Dave Cone, Jimmie Sherrill, Robert Rodenkirch, Mike Placentino, Jeff, and John Nash.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jacksonville Cleft Palate Clinic, 820 Prudential Drive, Howard Building, Suite 405, Jacksonville, FL 32207, (904)-633-0935. Or Friends of Jacksonville Animals www.friendsofjaxanimals.com

Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Beach Chapel, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (904) 249-2374. www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com or www.dignitymemorial.com