Josh has meant the world to me. From the get go, he has been a light in my life, the kindest, most loving, hardworking, stubborn, determined, and all around beautiful soul. He always was trying to make everyone laugh and most of the time he succeeded. He has so, so much love in his heart for all people and is one of the most sentimental people I have ever met. I loved him, and will continue to love him, with all of my heart. I cannot pick a favorite memory, but this one has been playing through my mind over and over for the past week. 

While we were waiting for dinner in the car during our trip to Myrtle Beach, I happened to bring up how my hair looked red in a picture taken at Josh's football game. He looked at me and said "That can never happen again." I was really confused and I asked Josh why and he told me "I don't want any ginger kids!" At the time all I could do was laugh, but now all I can think about is how that was his way of telling me "I love you and I'm gonna marry you."




I didn't know Josh that much well but I wished I could have known him more. My favorite memory of him was when, I was on Instagram on live. He would always say hey and check up on me. He and his friends would make me laugh. He was a great kid, a friend, someone who cares and shows great team work in the community. #31 forever in his teammates, me,  my friends, the whole Wade Hampton community, and the class of 2019's heart. Thank you for raising a son like Josh Burgess who cares so much about his peers and how kind he is to others.  We will all miss him. 💔😭 To me and everyone, he wasn't just our best friend, he is family to us all. My support and love goes out to his family.

Dear Burgess Family,

I can remember meeting you all at a school college night. Josh said Miss Allah I want you to meet my mom. He was smiling as usual. I couldn't wait to meet you all, because my son Khalil enjoyed hanging out at your house. He really love Mrs. Burgess's cooking.
Josh was a really good friend. He would give Khalil some rides to practice and home. I really appreciated that. Thanks so much for being a part of our lives.

Dear Bonnie, Dan, and Lily,
I really only knew Josh a brief few years when he played baseball with Drew. Since then, I've come to know how he grew into a terrific teen, by you sharing his life on Facebook.

That kid always made us smile. He was maybe 8 or 9, and had a broken arm (or leg? It's been a long time). I vividly recall the baseball diamond where the boys were playing, but Josh was on the sidelines near us, due to his injury. He chatted the entire game with me and Pat... telling us how much he loved to visit his grandpa's farm! The dogs, goats, cows, pigs, horses, and the tractor! When I relayed our conversation to you, Bonnie, you broke out laughing, because he had made the whole thing up!  No farm at all.  Great imagination! 

We both are devastated for his life being cut so short. The testimonies of many friends and relatives tell a huge story about how you raised him. Be proud.   We continue to pray that God comforts you and gives you strength. 
Love,
Surely and Pat McMaster

Judith, 

Your family is on our hearts and in our prayers

I am having a hard time thinking of just one memory of Josh. He was such a sweet boy! Every time he saw me he would say "Hey Dude" and I would call him dudette and we would laugh. Sometimes he would walk up and put his arm around my shoulder and say "I love you dude". I loved picking with him, his smile was contagious. Josh meant a lot to our family, my boys looked up to him. He was helpful and kind and respectful. He was passionate about football and always tried to get Brycen to tryout to play. He was just an awesome kid! We share so many memories with the Burgess family and I am thankful that Dan and Robby started the first conversation to begin our friendship so long ago. You are family and I love you guys. Love, Robby, Tiffany, Brycen and Landon.

Dear Bonnie, Dan and Lily, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know nothing will ever feel the same again, except for the fact that one day you’ll be able to see him again in heaven. My favorite memory of Josh was when my grandmother and I would decorate for VBS every year and anytime he would pass by us he would ask what he could do to help, or he would jump in anyway and start helping. He was such a sweet boy and his smile and laughter is what I remember most about him. He always had a willingness to help others and such a kind soul. One more memory I have is when my grandpa played Santa every year. Josh loved taking Lily with him to go take a picture with Santa, and seeing the joy on their faces was always the sweetest thing ever. My grandpa always says it’s his most favorite memory because it warms his heart that he’s able to create such wonderful memories with the kids he meets♥️ I love y’all, and Josh. He is truly missed and loved and I can’t wait until we can all see him in Heaven one day♥️

Dearest  Bonnie, Dan, and Lily, my heart is  deeply saddened for your loss, but at the same time I am deeply comforted because of Josh deep love for the Lord and how many friends and others he touched. The one thing a parent wants to know when their child passes is that they have made that decision to accept Christ as their Savior and that when that time comes and they are absent from the body here on earth they are immediately present with the Lord in Heaven. Josh is there now and you will see him again and that is a direct promise from the Lord !! I am so happy that my Jack and Josh were good friends❤️

I was so honored to be able to have the entire Burgess family enter my life many years ago when Josh was in my first grade class at Lake Forest Elementary.  He was an awesome student with a heart of gold and a most contagious  smile! Even when Josh was done with  first, he continued to greet me with smiles throughout elementary school.  Josh was an amazing young man who had the most caring spirit and love for others! I will truly miss his smile through pictures and his heart through elementary school memories. He will forever be missed, but never forgotten. 

Dearest Dan, Bonnie and Lily, we are so sorry for your loss. Josh was the best friend Jack has ever had. Josh was an awesome young man and I know how proud you are of him. Once last year Jack and Josh had lunch break together. I had to bring something to Jack at school. The office sent me to the lunchroom (lol) to find Jack. He was sitting comfortably eating and chatting with Josh. When Jack saw me he sat up wide eyed, totally mortified (lol) and Josh laughed and laughed. Another great memory is when we enjoyed having Josh join us on our vacation trip to Great Wolf Lodge. He was so sweet, respectful, fun and a true joy. The boys had great fun on the exciting waterslides, and ended the trip on the rope challenge, guiding each other through the course. I am sure Josh will continue to guide us all to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Love and prayers, Brad, Melissa, Jack and Olivia.

Josh was the SWEETEST boy. He always called me his “big sister”. One of my favorite memories of Josh was when he brought a friend to church with him, and when I walked in his friend said “ Josh, who is that!?” And Josh responded “ Dude that’s my sister, and she’s taken!” I will and already do miss Josh so much. I’m so glad I got to be his big sister for the last five years that I had the joy of knowing him. I love you Josh, and can’t wait to see you again in heaven!! Attached is my favorite picture of Josh.

Dear Josh, 
  What a wonderful soul you are!!  I remember is starting the wade Hampton youth football team and you were so excited, every game!   So disappointed when we lost, but always showed great sportsmanship!  Kind and caring toward the other team.  I'll always remember that smile on your face and the determination in your heart.  We drifted apart after youth football, but I loved keeping up with your life on Facebook.  I love you, buddy and I'll never be the same without you.❤
Dan, Bonnie& Lily,   you lived with an angel and he touched everyone he came in contact with.  I know it won't be easy, but please find peace in that. ❤you💋

Dan, Bonnie & Lily - 
When our team played their first game this season, I told Josh before the game I wanted him to be the head coach. By halftime, eyes wide and breathing heavy, he said he needed to sit the second half.  He’d completely exhausted himself. 

After we celebrated that first win, I turned to shake his hand and say, “Congrats, Coach.” Instead, he beat me to the punch: “You know what, Mr.  Joey? I love playing football,” he said, his eyes still huge and his breathing still fast. “And I love playing basketball. But you know what I REALLY love? Coaching this team.” He was literally twitching as the words came out.

That was Josh. He embraced the things he loved so hard and so passionately, you’d get exhausted just watching him. If he REALLY loved doing something...well, just grab a snack and enjoy the show. It was exquisite. It was an explosion. It was his soul on display. And he didn’t care who saw it. 

Unapologetic joy is so pure, so precious. It’s something the world robs from us as we become adults, too self-aware and insecure to let it show. In my memory, his gets to stay on display forever. That comforts me—makes me smile—as my mind keeps replaying, “The scene where Coach Josh benches himself because he got too revved up in the first half of a U-11 church league basketball game!”

Dan, Bonnie, and Lily, 
Our hearts are broken by the loss of Josh.  We met Josh when he was 5 in the church nursery.  We have so many fond memories of him.  My memory to share with you is one from the church gym, where Josh grew from a kid into a coach before our eyes.  On a Wednesday night after church, Josh and Liam were playing different games, but somehow were running straight towards each other at full speed.  The coming collision was obvious to everyone except the two boys.  At the last second, Josh saw what was happening and was somehow able to turn his body, catch Liam, and cradle him to the ground.  They slid across the gym, Liam riding on Josh’s stomach.  It was one of the most amazing acts of instinctive protection I have ever witnessed. That night, he was a super hero!!
We were blessed to know Josh and rejoice that he is with Jesus in heaven.  We will miss him terribly!  
You have our love, support, and prayers! 

Joey, Kelly, Liam, and Mary Tynan Hall 


Bonnie, Dan & Lily - there are really no words to express my sympathy. Every encounter I had with Josh was memorable! My favorite was from Morgan’s 11th birthday party.. Josh was the only boy I would allow Morgan to invite. After some pool time, he came up and asked me if he could have some more pizza. I told him absolutely, and he walked right over to some of the girls at the party and asked if anyone else would like more pizza. A few of them said yes, and he ran into the pool house and came back out with 3 plates of pizza and passed them out to the girls. He then went back for his own pizza. Just a small memory, but one that stood out and really showed the kind of person he was! I know you were so proud of him! 

I know Morgan has many more great memories of Josh from school, field trips and birthday parties, but just wanted to share one of mine! 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Bonnie, Dan and Lily,
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.  Praying that the Lord gives you strength and that your faith will carry you through this time.  Praying for comfort from the 17 years of sweet memories of the time with Josh.  
We feel blessed to have spent many years on Christmas Eve and Bannister family birthdays with your family.   We feel as though you were a part of our big family too.  Please know that we are here for you and your family for anything you need, but most of all for prayers.  

I remember seeing Joshua at my cousin Lisa's wedding. He was so cute. I'll be praying for comfort and peace for the entire family. I also pray his sister Lily has a speedy recover and his cousin. 

OBITUARY

Joshua "Josh" Daniel Burgess

July 5, 2001 – December 5, 2018

Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive

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