Ray C. Burgess, 65 of Monticello, passed away Friday, July 24, 2009 at his home. He was born February 8, 1944 in Jenny, AR (Chicot County).
He was retired from the U. S. Navy, having served on the USS Intrepid and the USS Saratoga. His duty stations included Quonset Point, RI, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Brunswick, GA, Millington, TN, Jacksonville, FL, Pensacola, FL, Alamedia, CA and Naval Air Station, New Orleans. He rose through the enlisted ranks achieving the rank of E-8 and recieved a commission the last half of his military career, retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officier 3. He was selected for CWO 4, but choose to retire rather than accept the promotion. After moving to Monticello, he went to work for the Arkansas State Police as a D. L. Examiner for E Troop and F Troop. He worked for the ASP for nearly 10 years, retiring for health reasons. Ray was a Deacon at Northside Baptist Church and a Mason. He enjoyed camping, fishing, wood working and could grill a mean steak.
He was the son of the late Lynn Burgess and Alberta Tharp Burgess and was preceded in death by 4 nephews and 2 nieces.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Burgess of Monticello; one son, Brian Burgess and wife, Jenny of Monticello; three daughters, Gayle Spurlock and husband, Ricky, Deborah Tullos and husband, Joel and Kristie Fowler and husband, Pat, all of Monticello; three brothers, J. D. Burgess and wife, Ruth of Robertsdale, AL, Gene Burgess and wife, Ann and Buddy Burgess, all of Monticello; three sisters, Frances Streeter and husband, Scott of Lake Village, Eunice Hackett and husband, Bob of Monticello and Diane Molino and husband, Leo of Catarina, Texas; he was “PaPa” to nine grandsons and nine granddaughters, and “Paw” to five great-grandsons; several nephews and nieces.
Visitation
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home
943 Highway 425 North
Monticello , AR 71657
7/26/2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm
Funeral Service
Stephenson-Dearman
943 Hwy 425 N
Monticello , AR 71655
7/27/2009 10:00 AMÂ
Internment
Union Ridge Cemetery
Midway Rt Rd
Monticello, AR 71655
Late Wednesday afternoon, work crews clearing a wooded area attempted to cross a creek near HWY 278 East, just past “dead man’s curve”, when the New Holland Trac-Hoe they were using began sinking farther than they had estimated.
The muddy bottom of the creek allowed the machine to sink even further before crews removed it from the water Friday.
Around 10:30, it was out of the creek, but still had to be brought out so that it could be loaded.
Two representatives with Murray and Company provided preliminary sketches of the phase modernization plan. The Board voted to begin work on Phase I, the allied health building, shown in red in the photo.
