Rev. Jack Louis Burgess

Rev. Jack Louis Burgess Pickens, South Carolina Rev. Jack Louis Burgess, 89, a servant of God, respected and loved by his family and friends, passed from this life into eternal life with the Lord on October 11, 2023. Preacher Jack Burgess was a beloved Pastor and business owner who loved sharing his faith with everyone he met. He lived a steadfast life as an example of what it truly means to be a Christian. He was Christ-like and served God faithfully and humbly for many decades. His influence will be missed, but his kindness and sincerity as a dedicated teacher of the Bible will continue in the lives of everyone who knew him personally and countless others who have heard him preach and sing. Jack L. Burgess was born in rural Pickens, SC, in July 1934. He was the son of and is predeceased by Purn Gelola Burgess and Coreen Masters Burgess. He was a US Army Veteran. He previously owned and operated Burgess Builders, a respected residential home-building company in the area. He was influential as a leader in many churches across the upstate and elsewhere throughout his life, having been a key figure in the formation of Landmark Baptist Church in Easley, SC, later the Chief of Staff for Evangelist Lester Roloff in Corpus Christi TX, a valued staff member at Bob Jones University, the founder of Victory Heights Men's Home in Pickens, SC, and the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Easley, SC. Preacher Jack Burgess was an accomplished singer and musician who taught himself to play the guitar and piano. He taught himself to effectively lead choirs and developed the talents of many church members. He made several albums in the 1960s and '70s, then again while working with Lester Roloff in the early 1980s. He had a soothing tenor voice which earned the appreciation and applause of any audience or congregation blessed to hear him sing. He was often sought out to sing or preach at special events and services for other churches and camp meetings throughout South Carolina and northern Georgia. His clear and simple presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ pointed many to a personal relationship with God. There was never a circumstance or problem that he could not overcome, nor would a spiritual and physical need arise that he wouldn't, at that moment, seek God's guidance and wisdom to solve. Reverend Jack Burgess was a talented, fearless, and compassionate God-made man. Preacher Burgess enjoyed being outdoors. A skilled sportsman, he would often hunt the woodlands of South Carolina or the ranch lands of Texas and Wyoming. He enjoyed planting and cultivating his gardens and shared the harvest with friends. He loved baseball and was on his way to a professional baseball career when he was drafted into the US Army in 1955. Upon his return to South Carolina, after his military service was completed, he married Wanda Juanita Davis Burgess of Pickens SC in 1958. She was his partner in life and ministry. They celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary in July 2023 and remained together until his death. Together, they had four sons, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Son J. "Keith" Burgess (Linda) granddaughter Carissa Parnell (Jamin) great-grandchildren Maisie, Maddie, Silas. Son James A. “Tony" Burgess (Susan) granddaughter Heather McCarty (Evan) great-grandchildren Amelia, Cora, grandson Deron Burgess (Bethany) great-granddaughter Audrey, grandson Philip Burgess, granddaughter Beth Burgess, granddaughter Tara Jeroszko (Robert) great-grandchildren Susannah, Benjamin, Margaret, Caroline, grandson Tyler Frank (Anna Mae). Predeceased by son Garland "Mark" Burgess (Krystal) granddaughter Stephanie Kozick (Ben) great-grandchildren Hunter, Grant, granddaughter Amanda Reed (Kyle) great-grandchildren Madeline, Noah, Levi, Jonah, granddaughter Rene Ownsby, great-grandchildren Conner, Lucas, Georgia, grandson Christopher Burgess. Son Matthew S. Burgess (Mitzi) granddaughters Charlotte, Abigail, Natalie, and grandson Jackson. Preacher Jack Burgess was a brother to ten other siblings: Maxine Burgess Hardin(deceased), Alvin Burgess(deceased), Cecil Burgess(deceased), John Burgess(deceased), Richard Burgess(deceased), Ruth Burgess Morris, Ruby Burgess Baughman(deceased), Daisy Burgess Boggs, Franklin "Dell" Burgess(deceased), and a baby sister the family named Baby Mary Burgess who died a few days after birth. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Missionary Baptist Church located at 979 John Street, Pickens, SC 29671, with Pastor Danny Posey officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:30pm with the funeral service commencing at 3:00pm; burial will follow immediately at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery located at 620 Pleasant Grove Road Pickens SC 29671 with Pastor Scott Willis, a nephew, officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons Deron Burgess, Philip Burgess, grandson-in-laws Jamin Parnell, Evan McCarty, nephew Michael Burgess, and family friend Marc Bridges. At the family's request as a memoriam to their patriarch, Jack L Burgess, please donate to Missionary Baptist Church Christian School in lieu of sending flowers, you may contact the church and school directly through their website at https://secure.anedot.com/missionary-baptist-church/school-c1dd712005328092d92f1 Mountain View Funerals and Cremations of Pickens, SC, will assist the family.

Rev. Jack Louis Burgess

July 12, 1934 - October 11, 2023