John A Burgess

June 25, 1940 - July 11, 2008

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John A. Burgess, 68, of 28 Lawson Way, husband of Ann Poulos Burgess, died Friday, July 11, 2008 at Greenville Memorial Medical Center. Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Grady and Maude Carroll Burgess. A native of Greenville, he graduated from Carolina High School, class of 1958. After graduating, he left to further his academic studies at Covenant College in St. Louis, Missouri, later returning to pursue a career in Greenville. John was very active in local, state and national activities. He was appointed to the South Carolina State Board of Nursing in 1981 and served 10 years as the consumer representative, later receiving The Order of The Palmetto, South Carolina's highest honor, for his contribution to healthcare. John was elected to the Board of Trustees of The Greenville Hospital System in 1991, where he served 6 years and was twice elected to serve as Chairman of the Board. In 1997 The Blue Ridge Council of the Boy Scouts of America chose John to receive the Distinguished Citizen Award for outstanding contributions to man-kind and community service. In 1996 John received the A.J. Whittenburg Award for his unequaled service to the community. John was appointed by President Clinton as a presidential representative to the White House Conference on Small Business. In 1996 he was appointed to the Small Business Administrations Government Regulatory Fairness Board. He was very active in the Bi-Lo Charity Classic and was a 1999 recipient of The Jefferson Award from WYFF. John was very instrumental in the development of St. Joseph's Catholic School, where today the Administrative Building is named in his honor, Burgess Hall. He was also a loyal supporter of The Meyer Center for Special Children. John founded Southeastern Products, Inc. in 1978 in his one car garage. As president and CEO, he developed a two employee operation into a company with over 150 employees. He was also a veteran of the United States Air National Guard. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Russ Crowe of Simpsonville; a son, Tyler Burgess of Greenville; a grandson, Eli Crowe of Simpsonville; and two sisters and brothers-in–law, Carolyn and Tom Bowling of Pendleton and Joan and Charles Chandler of Easley. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, 37 Villa Road, #B109, Greenville, SC 29615. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 13, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown. The funeral service will be held Monday, July 14, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the downtown chapel. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

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Ann, I am sorry to hear about John. I have not seen you or John since 1966. I knew you two after you married and lived in Columbia where John and I met in class at USC. John helped me with a job I had with Texize Chemicals in Atlanta when he worked for t

Ann, I am sorry to hear about John. I have not seen you are John since 1966. I knew you two after you married and lived in Columbia where John and I met in class at USC. John helped me with a job I had with Texize Chemicals in Atlanta when he worked for

i am so sorry to hear of john's passing.if it wasn't for john my father would not be here today he helped save my fathers life when he had a heart attack.he also brought me into his company which i am not no longer a part of,i have known john for several

Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. I still have memories of our families at the beach, with Kim and I playing and you getting ready for your second child. I hope these happy memories help in the difficult times. My prayers are with you. Susan Cob

Dear Ann and Tyler, It has been many years since I last spoke with you. I think the last time I saw you it was at the Greenville Zoo. I wanted to let you know how saddened I was to hear about your husband and father. I only met him a few times and eac

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We just learned of John's passing. Would you please give Ann our deepest sympathy. We live one house away from the Burgess's at 27 Lawson Way, but have never "officially" met John and Ann. Ann and I have met on our street a time or two because of walki

Kim, Russ, and family Please accept my condolences at this time. I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I know he will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Stacy, Jerry, Walker,and Ragan Head

Ann, Kim, Tyler mine and Linda's prayers are with you during this time. We remember so many things that we all did together from work and also all of the personel time our familys spent together. He was one of my best friends and also a great mentor to me

We are very sorry for your loss, and are thinking of you during this time of mourning. Pam Waters and the Top Dog Ltd Staff.

Dear Burgess Family, We would like to extend our most sincere condolences to your family for your loss. John was a great man and did many wonderful things for a lot of people. We pray that God is with you in this time. His contributions will never be

Mrs. Burgess, Tyler and Kim, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Mr. Burgess. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

I WANT TO THANK JESUS FOR PUTTING SUCH AN EXTRORDINARY AND COMPASSIONATE MAN IN OUR LIVES. WE WILL MISS HIM, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHY JESUS WANTS HIM BACK.

I was sorry to hear about John's passing. I'll always be appreciative of his help in starting TVP Productions. TVP has been an important contributor to the Greenville community, and has provided jobs for several individuals over the years.

Burgess Family, Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to each of you in the passing of John...such a good and caring man!. May God's loving embrace ease the pain of physical loss. Please know we are here to serve when needed. Because We Care, Rita and Ron

Ann , Kim and Tyler, I have always had the greatest respect for John. He will be missed . I am so very sorry for your loss.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with you. We'll always remember John as a very unique man with a deep love for his family, friends, and community. May God bless and keep you.

our hearts are heavy when a man who has helped so many people must leave us - have only met mr john a few brief times still left a great feeling and lasting impression upon us - his friends and people around him always could make you feel as part of the

Ann,Kim and Tyler,We saw in the paper this morning where John had died.You are in our prayers for Gods peace and strength in the coming days ahead.We are sorry that we can not come to the funeral.With all our love! Pat and Sander.

john will be very deeply missed by us ,but never forgotten

My prayers are with you all. I am very sorry for your loss.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Mrs. Burgess- I am writing on behalf of my daddy, Bruce Suggs and my mama, Ginny Suggs. They both are already in heaven seeing your sweet husband. My daddy cared alot about John and always spoke fondly of their boyhood and friendship. He respected his ac

Ty, Kim and Tyler --- I was so sorry to hear about John's passing. He was a great man and so giving to everyone. Please know that I am thinking of all of you.

Mrs.Burgess,Kim,Tyler and extended family. It was very sad to hear of John`s passing. I find great pleasure to have known John he was a fine man and will be truly missed. I will cherish the times we spent together at dinners, and with Mr.Lasorda and Bu

My dear friends, the Burgess family, What a grand celebration, our dear John's funeral. So fitting for a man dedicated to giving the very best of himself away. John Burgess, ever my sweet friend, reminds me so much of my dad: Both heroic souls grown

Deep condolences to John's family and friends.

Dear Ann, The crew at MASTR TRIM, LLC would like to extend our condolences to you and your family. It has been a great pleasure to work with your family at Southeastern Products for the last year. Our prayers are with you and we love you all! MASTR TR

Ann, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your children and John's sisters. His 1958 Carolilna High School Classmates will always remember how kind you and John have been through the years hosting our Friday night reunion events. Our 50th reunion commi

Ann, it has been a long time since we worked together on Southeastern's insurance program but I hope you know how much I loved you and John and was always grateful for the business he sent my way and for the summer job he gave my sons. He was a wonderful

I'm sorry to hear of John's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Ann,Tyler, and Kim I'm sorry to hear about John. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Please call our office if you need anything. Mandy @ Elaine Smith's Office

Ann, We were saddened to hear of John's death. He will certainly be missed in our community. We will be ever grateful for what you two did for St. Joseph's Catholic School. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Love, Mack & Joe P

Miss Ann we are so sorry to hear of your loss. John was a wonderful man. You and your family will be in our PRAYERS.

John will be remembered for all his charitable work and contributions. I had the privelidge of putting together and Distinguished Citizens Dinner together for John in the 90's for the local Boy Scout Council. He and his staff worked hard to make the din

Russel, Please accept and express my condolences to your family. Lance Tasciotti

To ALL who read this: My family is very appreciative of all your kind words and support. It is comforting to hear your thoughts and memories of my father.

Ann, Tyler, Kim & Russ, I was so sorry to hear about John's passing. Know that as you remember and celebrate his life today and offer your thanks for this kind man, many will be lifting your entire family in prayers. May God comfort you all during this

Ann and Family, Working at Southeastern all these years, we feel like your extended family. Great adoration and respect goes to John. He will be missed by his family and his extended family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

When I remember John, I think about his smile and his expressive eyes. John was always thinking,always ready with a laugh and always the most generous person. The world has lost a good man, but you know he is in the arms of the angels. Ann and Tyler, I

The families of Joe Thompson, Sr. and JTI Publishing express our heartfelt sympathies at this sorrowful time. John was a good man and extremely gracious toward my father's endeavors as well as the community. Dad thought the world of him, as did many. The

Dear Ann, Kim and Tyler, Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. John was a wonderful man who did amazing things for so many people. The world truly is a better place because of him. May Go

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We would like to send our deepest sympathy to the Burgess Family. Greenville has truly lost a great leader and friend. We will miss him greatly! You are in our thoughts and prayers, The Cohagans

Dear Ann, Kim and Tyler, Our entire family sends our deepest sympathy in the loss of John. He was a wonderful man with a caring heart. We hope you find comfort and peace in the coming days. Rest assured you can always call on us as friends. We will

Ann, So many thoughts and feelings came across when I heard of John's passing. He was such a friend and brother to Fred. Through Fred, he had also become my friend. I am thankful for that friendship and will always remember him in a caring and loving

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Everyone at Professional Party Rentals

Dear Burgess Family, I am deeply saddened by the passing of John. My father Willie Carroll and John were cousins, and as a boy I loved listening to my father reminisce about his and Johnâ??s childhood together. One of the highlights of travelling from

DEAR ANN, KIM AND TYLER, WE WERE SORRY TO HEAR OF MR.BURGESS;S DEATH.YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.

Dear Ann and Family... We were so very sorry to learn of John's passing away. He was a wonderful friend to us as well as many other people in the Upstate. I have fond memories of John at Carolina High School. He was just a "great guy" with a kind and

Dear Ann. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. May God sustain you during this difficult time. This in very sad news for us as school mates. He will be greatly missed as our leader and friend. Dot Wuske

Dear Ann and family, We are saddened to hear of John's passing. We remember John as an exceptional entreprenuer and a giving spirit. Keith and I worked at Southeastern as contract labor some 20 years ago...but I have known you and John since I was a lit

Burgess Family, May you find comfort in the heart of compassion. May peace find you wherever you walk. Blessings, Denis and Barbara Schuldenfrei

The Upstate today mourns a truly outstanding citizen. My thoughts are with John's family at this sad time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in the loss of your of your loved one. He was a wonderful man and will be missed. May God bless you and keep you strong. Betty Walters JTI Publishing

Ann, Kim & Tyler, I am thinking of you and praying for you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy,

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.