Jerry Alan Burgess

Jerry Alan Burgess, 84, of Lubbock, Texas, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Lubbock. Born on February 17, 1942, in Brownwood, TX. Jerry spent the majority of his life in Lubbock, the city he called home. His life was defined by hard work, music, family, and unwavering devotion to the people he loved. He was a devoted husband to Donna for 66 years, a loving father to four children, and a proud grandfather and great-grandfather whose love and presence reached across generations. Jerry loved Donna Beth from the moment he first saw her. The two met at a school dance in September 1957. While Donna was dancing with the boy who had brought her, Jerry noticed her and decided she was the only one for him. He pursued her the rest of the night, beginning a love story that would span nearly 67 years. Throughout their marriage, Jerry and Donna were rarely apart. Other than hospital stays, they spent only a handful of nights away from one another. Their love remained steadfast through the years, growing stronger through every season of life. In the final week of Jerry's life, they shared their final dance, holding each other up to “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke - a beautiful final moment that reflected the love story they had shared nearly seven decades. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Donna, of 66 years; his sons, Brett (Lisa), Bart, and Brian (Tiffiany), all of Lubbock; and his daughter, Buffy (Tim), of Missouri. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Michele, Melissa, Melanie, Seth, Dexter, Beau, Brooke, Ashlee, Austin, Sally, Landon, and Brittany; and 21 great-grandchildren, Noah, Caleb, Jonah, Brady, Lila, Ava, Harper, Brody, Hattie Rose, Brayze, Crue, Corben, Jax, Briggs, Leighton, Kennedy, Brielle, Asher, Ella, Soren, and Leo. Jerry is also survived by his sister, Carolyn Drain, of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Coye Burgess, and by his siblings, Robert Burgess and Betty Skoro. Jerry began Barber School at the age of 15 and later had a barber shop with his father, Ivan. In 1963, he purchased Western Wrecking, beginning a long chapter of work in the auto salvage business. He owned the wrecking yard for decades and later Burgess Auto Parts. Retirement did not suit him for long. Through a friend, he found a new opportunity managing rental homes, where he continued to thrive as a mentor and put his many years of experience to work managing projects and fixing nearly anything that needed attention. His ability to repair things and make them work was not limited to business. Jerry was always busy fixing something - from the family washing machine, which sometimes needed attention weekly while raising four children, to the Winnebagos that seemed to break down regularly on family vacations. He was the kind of person who could always be counted on to keep things running, whether at work, at home, or on the road. Music was another enduring part of Jerry’s life. At 13, he discovered what his family described as his God-given gift for the piano after his parents bought one for the home. At 14, he helped create a band called the Ad Libs with Hank Hunt, Kilmer Key, Bobbie Higgs, Bob Burgess, and Ralna English. He also had a beautiful tenor voice and loved singing hymns, especially “Amazing Grace” and “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” At family reunions, the many singers in the Burgess family would gather in four-part harmony, and those moments became part of the family’s shared memory. Jerry was also deeply involved in the lives of his children and his community. He coached baseball and served as president of Southwest Little League for about 10 years while his sons were growing up. He and Donna both attended Monterey High School, and Jerry took great pride in the fact that all four of his children graduated from Monterey as well. It meant even more to him to see two of his great-grandchildren now walking those same halls. Family remained the center of Jerry’s life. He loved his four children deeply: Brett, Bart, Brian, and Buffy. He was a proud grandfather, known as Papa, to 12 grandchildren and a proud great-grandfather, known as G Pa, to 21 great-grandchildren. Whether through daily work, family gatherings, music, ballfields, or the simple act of repairing what was broken, Jerry’s life was closely tied to the people around him. Jerry Alan Burgess will be remembered for a long marriage, a steady work ethic, musical gifts, devotion to family, and a lifetime spent building, repairing, mentoring, and staying engaged. His memory lives on in Donna, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister, and in the many family stories that will continue to be told for years to come. A Memorial Service will be held on September 6, 2026, at 03:00 pm Lake Ridge Memorial 6025 82nd st Lubbock, TX