Joseph Frank Burgess

Joseph Frank Burgess was born June 4, 1929 in Terlton, Oklahoma. He was the son of James W. and Sarah Elsa Burgess. He moved with his family at an early age to Hollister, Oklahoma were he attended school, graduating from Hollister High School in 1947.

Upon graduation from high school, Joseph served in the Merchant Marines on the Great Lakes for a couple of years before being inducted into the United States Army on March 26, 1951. He served honorably during the Korean Conflict where he received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). He was honorably discharged on March 6, 1953 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Upon his discharge from military service, Joseph returned to Oklahoma for a short time before he began working as a deck hand on a drilling rig. He was married to Maxine C. Rhodes on September 16, 1955. The couple made their home in Independence, Kansas and resided there while Joseph continued to work in the oilfield.

In 1956, they returned to Terlton where Joseph began working with his father operating the Terlton Grocery Store. Joseph and Maxine then moved their family to Washington State for a short time when Joseph accepted employment in a plywood mill. They returned to Oklahoma in 1957 and Joseph worked for National Tank for a very short time and then began a career with Sheffield Steel. He continued to work for Sheffield for nearly thirty six years, retiring as a switch engine operator in 1993.

Joseph was an avid birdwatcher and enjoyed woodworking in his spare time. Additionally, he spent countless hours working in his flower gardens. He passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at his home near Silver City at the age of seventy-four years, one month and twelve days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James W. Burgess and a grandson, Mark Joseph Burgess.

He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Maxine Burgess, of the home; daughter and her husband, Debbye and Rick Storckman, Cleveland, Ok; three sons, Sammy Burgess and special friend, Dianna), Mannford, Ok; Dusty Rhodes Burgess and his wife, Janie of Albuquerque, NM, Kelly Page Burgess and his wife, Patty of Indianapolis, Indiana; three granddaughters, Dewi Freesen, Amber Middleton and Erica Kipper, five grandsons, Joshua Burgess, Steward Storckman, Lucas Storckman, Patrick Burgess and Steven Burgess; and a great grandson, Trevor Middleton,

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, July 21, 2003 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Dr. Larry Wilson officiating. Burial will be at the Terlton Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit and online obituary, video tribute and guestbook for Joseph Burgess at www.chapman-black.com