Robert was born in Trenton, Tennessee on September 16th, 1928. After graduating high school, he met the love of his life at a roller rink in Bemis, TN. They were married November 27th, 1946. Not long after, "Duke" enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an air traffic controller. He was a veteran of the Korean War. The time he spent in Korea was the only time he and his wife were ever apart. Once out of the military, he started his career as an air traffic controller with the FAA and decided to plant his and his wife's roots in Jacksonville, FL. "Duke" worked at the Hilliard Airport until the Jacksonville International Airport was opened. He retired in 1981 after suffering a massive heart attack and took time to do what he loved most...Traveling. He and his wife loved the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN and Jackson Hole, WY. "Duke" then grew bored once again and took a job with his brother in law at the Bayard Race Track as a cashier. Working there, Orange Park Race Track and McDuff Race Track. Once again retiring in 1988. Spending the rest of his years with his family and wife, traveling and being the patriarch of the family. His wife of 70 years, past away in October of 2016 and he was lost without her. Eleven months after her death, he left this world to be with her.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Flossie Burress; parents, Raymond and Bessie Nippers; sister, Margaret Schultz ; daughter, Bette Clair Burress; and great granddaughter, Kylieann Rose Burress.
Robert is survived by his son, John Burress; daughter, Amanda Burress; six grandchildren, Diana, Troy and Tyler Burress, Jackson and Jacob Cooke and Maxon Goldfarb; and three great grandchildren, Addison and Reagan Sologuren and Grayson Burress.
Funeral services will be held at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home at 1701 Beach Blvd on Tuesday, October 3rd at 10 am with Pastor Tom Bary of Neptune Baptist Church officiating. Followed by burial at Jacksonville National Cemetery on Lannie Rd.
Arrangements under the direction of Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens, Jacksonville Beach, FL.
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