Obit of Burgess, Eddie Ray (b622) - Unknown County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 18 Aug 2004 Return to Unknown County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/okstate.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== EDUCATOR BURGESS DIES AT 75 Published on December 4, 1995 The Santa Rosa Press Democratt *Eddie Ray Burgess, a former Sonoma County educator who gained students' and teachers' respect during his years as a principal and coach, died Saturday at the age of 75 at a San Francisco hospital. Burgess was born in Oklahoma but moved to New Mexico during his high school years. He received a bachelor's degree at Eastern New Mexico University. He and his wife, Frances, were raising two children when Burgess worked toward his master's degree at New Mexico Highlands University. He later earned an administrative credential from San Francisco State University. "He always wanted to teach and he always wanted to coach," said his wife and high school sweetheart, Frances Burgess, who married Burgess 54 years ago. "He loved every day that he went to work." He was a teacher and administrator for 35 years, and reached hundreds of local students during his 25 years as an educator in Santa Rosa. "He was so into his work. A lot of it was a challenge and he looked forward to all of it," said his son, John Burgess of Santa Rosa. Eddie Burgess and his family moved to Sonoma County in 1956. He was a basketball coach and dean at Montgomery High School. Burgess then transferred to Cook Junior High, where he spent 14 years, first as a vice principal and then as principal. Burgess also coached football and basketball at Analy High School. When he was principal of Cook Junior High, Burgess was named Sonoma County Educator of the Year in 1978 and retired three years later. Last year, local education officials honored him again when they named the street leading to the new Elsie Allen High, Burgess Drive. He was a veteran of World War II and a member of the California Retired Teachers Association. When he wasn't at school, Burgess enjoyed reading and fixing up his 1964 Buick. He and his wife traveled throughout the United States when he retired. In addition to his wife and son, Burgess is survived by his daughter, Sandra Frazer of Santa Rosa; another son, David Burgess of Pennsylvania; siblings Alla Mae McGuigan of Florida and Houston Burgess of Oklahoma; seven grandchildren and one greatgranddaughter. A memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at the auditorium at Lawrence Cook Middle School, followed by a reception in the school's multipurpose room. Contributions in his memory may be made to Schools Plus, P.O. Box 14714, Santa Rosa 95402. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Unknown County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/okstate.html