Robert Jackson “Jack” Burgess

Rev. Robert Jackson “Jack” Burgess, 86, of Gainesville passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022. He was born on September 15, 1935 in Forsyth County.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, 2022 in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Rev. Johnny Latty, Rev. Raymond Latty and Rev. Kevin Burgess will officiate. Interment will follow in Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Monday, February 14th from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Rev. Burgess was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Mae Thompson Burgess; son, Mark Shannon Burgess; son in law, Keith Boyd; grandson, Nathaniel Grier Carden; parents, Rev. Riley and Avis Parks Burgess; brother, Hollis Burgess and sisters, Lillie Densmore, Marjorie Hall and Janet Buice.

He is survived by four children, Elaine (Danny) Carden of Auburn, GA, Steven (Rosie) Burgess of Gainesville, GA, Kevin (Debra) Burgess of Hoschton, GA, and Marsha (John) Carter of Winder, GA. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Melaina (Vince) Kennedy, Lindsey (Doug) Magee, Leah Mulholland, Jonathan (Kim) Carden, Matthew Burgess, Christy (Michael) Jones, Amanda (Jeffrey) Hewett, Alex (Kim) Burgess, Keith Boyd, Adam (Kristal) Boyd, Evan (Rachel) Boyd, Kea (Daniel) Jimenez; 21 great-grandchildren; sister, Brenda (Dan) Lancaster of Gainesville, GA and a host of nieces and nephews.

Rev. Burgess was lovingly known as “Papa Jack” to family, friends and even new acquaintances. He loved God, his family, and friends dearly. He was deeply loved by his family and friends, and gifted them with wonderful memories of times together through the years. He was a hard worker, but also enjoyed fun-filled trips to Mexico Beach and Panama City Beach with family and friends.

Rev. Burgess was a pastor from the late 1950’s through 2002. He was viewed as a spiritual giant to those he ministered to, serving at churches in Gwinnett, Hall, Barrow, and Jackson, GA. Churches he pastored or served included Antioch Baptist (Gwinnett), Calvary Baptist (Hall), Bethabra Baptist (Barrow), Hopewell Baptist (Hall), Center Grove Baptist (Jackson), and Pleasant Hill Baptist (Hall).

Even after suffering a stroke in 2002, he continued to impact lives through his day-to-day walk and example of God’s love and peace. To know him was to love him.

In addition to pastoring in the churches, he also took his ministry into the community, whether he was repairing your refrigerator, ensuring your home was cool and comfortable, or putting a new thermostat on your dryer so your clothes would be fresh and clean. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman, often building relationships through those activities as a means to share the gift of salvation.  His reputation, which included a smile on his face, a joke on his lips, and the love in his heart, always preceded him wherever he went. As stated earlier, to know him, was to love him.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com