DR. CHARLES M. BURGESS

Dr. Charles M. Burgess, 89, of Panama City died Monday, October 10, 2011. He was born in Opp, Alabama on December 3, 1921. He was the only child of Dr. and Mrs. Henderson (Ruby) Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Jean Hornsby Burgess; sons, Dr. Charles Burgess, Jr and wife Renee of Opp, Alabama, James Burgess and wife Lynn of Birmingham, Alabama; daughter, Jean Burgess Moore and husband Jerome of Lynn Haven, Florida; grandsons, Charles Burgess, III, Owen Burgess and wife Chelsea, Dr. Walter Burgess and wife Jan, Allen Burgess, Jackson Burgess; and step grandchildren, Stephanie Moore and Jerome Moore, Jr and wife Kelly. He is also survived by great grandchildren, Bethany Burgess, Parker Burgess, and Caroline Burgess.
Dr. Burgess graduated from Opp High School in 1939. He attended the University of Alabama, where he joined Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. During the summers, he worked at the old Wainwright Shipyard in Panama City. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Dental School in 1947. He married Jean Hornsby Burgess on December 21, 1947. He began practicing dentistry in Opp in 1948. He was loved by staff and patients. He was also one of the owners of General Manufacturing Company and Casey's Jeans, which provided employment to hundreds of people in South Alabama. He was President of the Rotary Club, Chairman of the Opp School Board, and taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church. Before the government provided free dental care to children from needy families, Dr. Burgess volunteered many hours treating children.
Dr. Burgess retired from dentistry in 1977, and moved with his wife, Jean, to Panama City, Florida. He joined Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church (now First Presbyterian), where he served as an elder for many years. He was active in many community organizations in Panama City, such as the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and the Panama City Rotary Club, where he was once again elected as president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a benefactor to Gulf Coast Community College Foundation and many non profit organizations.
Dr. Burgess had a deep faith in Christ and a real joy for life. He and was a wonderful husband and father. He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, traveling, bridge, and Alabama football.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, Panama City, Florida, with Lt. Col. David Smith officiating. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Burgess Plot at the Opp Cemetery in Opp, Alabama.
The family is grateful for the love and devotion of Bonnie Commander and Sharlene Dixon, and for the compassionate care of Covenant hospice, especially Roxanne Randall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Covenant Hospice or a charity of your choice.

Wilson Funeral Home