Lawrence Lindsey Burgett

Lawrence “Larry” Lindsey Burgett, age 92, was ushered into the presence of his Savior on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Larry was born on January 28, 1930 to Lorin C. and Rebecca Viola Burgett in Alliance, OH. He was the youngest of six children, and grew up attending school and learning the value of hard work on his family's farm. His love for all things pertaining to tractors grew from his childhood years. Larry joined the US Navy in 1948, and was eventually stationed in Jacksonville, FL when his friend invited him to church. On July 8, 1951, two important things happened that would change his life forever. He gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ and was also introduced to Ruth Carter, a beautiful young lady who caught his attention. Romance blossomed and Larry and Ruth were married October 17, 1952.

Larry ended his career with the Navy in 1954, and surrendered to full time ministry. He attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO where the couple welcomed their first two children. After completing Bible college, he was ordained as a minister in December, 1957 and spent his early years serving in Pensacola, FL and Fernandina Beach, FL. Larry & Ruth were approved as missionaries to Japan in 1958, and in November, 1959 they arrived by boat in Japan with their two children. After a period of time in language school, Larry and the family spent the first portion of time in Hokkaido (northern Japan) where they established one church and one mission. During this time frame, two more children were born to their family. The next period of time in Japan was in the Tokyo area, where he was in charge of the Japan Baptist Bible College, a training ministry for Japanese church leaders. He also pastored two churches at separate times while leading the Bible College. Their youngest child was added to their family during this time. In 1979, Larry and his family returned to America to serve at Baptist University of America where he was in charge of training college students who were preparing to serve on the mission field. While at BUA, he became Dean of Students, traveled with the school's singing groups, and taught a variety of Bible classes, always emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel and mission work. His love for these students never wavered even in later years as he would often reminisce fondly of his “BUA kids.”

In 1985, the family moved to Waycross, GA where he assisted with the development of Southside Baptist College and eventually served as administrator of Southside Christian School. In Waycross, he expanded his love of woodworking to build massive world maps that were used in churches to promote the understanding and need of world missions. Larry continued in various pastoral and teaching ministries. In 1988, the family moved to Cartersville, GA where he began a church ministry, and eventually pastored Bethel Baptist Church. In 1999, Larry and Ruth moved to Oklahoma City, OK where he taught missions classes at Heartland Baptist Bible College. In 2005, Larry began serving and teaching at Champion Christian College in Hot Springs, AR where he headed the Missions Department. At the young age of 83, in 2013, Larry began his last place of ministry in Wytheville, VA assisting his granddaughter and her husband in their church and school ministry as principal. He served in various tasks until his dementia no longer allowed him to accomplish these successfully. Larry and Ruth then moved to Locust Grove, GA in 2019 to live with their oldest daughter who cared for their needs along with another daughter and grandchildren nearby. Throughout his life, Larry was always known for his unique sense of humor, his crazy faces that he loved to make at the camera, and his passion for missions. In every church where Larry and Ruth were members, they served wholeheartedly in many different capacities, filling as many needs as they were able. He was loved by many as a teacher, a pastor, and a friend. His desire to serve God in everything that he did and to promote spreading the gospel throughout the world was evident in his generous giving of himself, his resources, and his talents. Many people were served by Larry and Ruth throughout his years of ministry. When he entered heaven, there is no doubt that he heard “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his five siblings, and a great grandson. He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Ruth Burgett; his five children: Michael (Cindy) Burgett, Connie (Joel) White, Joy (Russ) Stanford, Becky Hutchison, Esther (Joe) Stroup; twenty-one grandchildren; and thirty-eight great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00pm. A private interment will follow at Georgia National Cemetery. Haisten Funerals and Cremations 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway S. McDonough GA 30253.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Burgett family.