James Burgess

James Vernon Burgess

James Vernon Jim Burgess, fondly known as Pops, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on May 28, 2013.

He was born in Cleveland, Oklahoma on December 17, 1933 to George Vernon Burgess and Iva Ingle, but was raised by his mother and stepfather, who was his dad, Loyd Ricketts.

He attended Fairfax School and on February 17, 1953 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on both the USS Boyd and USS McDermott. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Quartermaster on February 12, 1957. During his time of duty, he was awarded the China Service Medal, Korea Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Medal.

On March 31, 1957 he married Eva Rae Barnard and they were married until her death on April 16, 1991. They were blessed with three children daughter Melody Jones and husband Terry of Morrison, son Mike Burgess and wife, Linda, of Fairfax and daughter, Jami Burgess, also of Fairfax.

Shortly after returning from the Navy, he went to work at Fairfax Packing Company as a butcher until it was destroyed by fire in 1987. He then worked as a butcher at Palace Grocery until 1991, and worked at various jobs, his most memorable of those being Todd Kellys welderhelper. He loved that opportunity to see parts of the United States he had not been to before.

In 1996, Jim united with Dulcie Goad to enjoy the next eleven years of life until Dulcie passed away in 2007. Through this special relationship, Pops gained four children he loved and considered his own: daughter Rhonda McConnell and husband Jimmy Jones of Fairfax son Verlin Bo Looney of Fairfax daughter Alicia Roach of Fairfax and son Burlin Looney and wife Jamie of Tulsa.

Jim is also survived by his brothers, Robert Bob Burgess, and wife, Jo Monica of Ponca City brother, Bud Ricketts and wife, Georgianna of Skiatook sisters, Pearl Sanders of Moore and Beverly Thurman of Skiatook sistersinlaw, Connie Burgess of Ponca City and Mary Liz Ricketts of Pawhuska grandchildren, John Smith, Erin Smith, Karilee Damron, Rodney Damron and fiance, Corki Marsh, of Fairfax, Ashley Burch, Heather Renee Robertson, Kayla Marie McConnell, Emily Em LuAnn Looney, Amanda Ninner Louise Looney, Christopher West, Kendall West, and McKenna Hunter Looney, great grandchildren Jake Marsh, Abby Marsh, Dougan Damron, Lily Marie Moglia, Abigail Uvon Moglia, Quinton James West and special neighbors he loved as family, David, Tracy and Codey Yandell.

Besides Eva and Dulcie, James was preceded in death by his parents his brother, Tommy L. Burgess, Frankie Gene Burgess, and William B. Blackie Ricketts.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, May 30th, 2013 at the First Christian Church of Fairfax. Honorary casket bearers are George Weston, Joe Rice, Jeff Tucker, Jim Fast, David Yandell and Todd Kelly.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 152 N. 4th Street, Fairfax, OK 74637 or ONHL Hospice, 282 County Road 6300, Fairfax, OK 74637.