SGT. PAUL WAYNE BURGESS, USMC, went home suddenly to be with the Lord Saturday, November 2, 2013. Paul was born April 2, 1984. Paul spent most of early childhood in Texas, Maine, and Kentucky. After the death of his father, Paul was 'adopted' by his aunt and uncle and settled in Powhatan, VA. He was a 2002 graduate of Powhatan High School. Paul excelled in the culinary arts classes and learned to cook at home. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He decided to follow his passion for the kitchen and became a Marine cook. Paul served two terms in the Middle East and two terms on board Navy ships as a cook. His kitchen management skills earned him praise from those with whom he served. He had taken a break from the kitchen and went through recruiter school. He was assigned to the Recruiting Office in Richmond, VA, close to where he and his family lived. His plan was to complete his tour in recruiting, then train and go back into the field as a kitchen inspector. His dream once he retired from the Marines was to open his own restaurant. Paul is preceded in death by his father, Bill Wayne Burgess, and his dad and mom, Rev. John R. and Elizabeth Addington Burgess. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lynn, children, Joshua Paul, Anthony Ray, and Kerstin Elizabeth, sisters, Rachael Burgess Brady and her husband, Rev. Richard, and Natalie Burgess McGrath and her husband James, nieces Haley and Abby McGrath and Evelyn Brady Hasty, nephews Shaughn, Dustan and Austin Brady, half-brothers and sister, Troy, Tom, Ralph, and Melissa and step mother, Joy Irene Burgess. Paul was proud to wear the uniform of a United States Marine and he proved it in excelling in whatever he was assigned. The men who served with him will remember his diligence, his personality, his desire, and his chow! Semper Fi! Visitation will be held Friday, November 8, 2013 from 6 to 8pm at Bennett & Barden Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Saturday, November 9, 2013 at Faith Free Will Baptist Church, Powhatan, VA. Burial immediately following, with full military honors, at Powhatan Community Cemetery.
Service:
November 9, 2013
Saturday 12 noon
Faith Free Will Baptist Church
2628 Genito Rd.
Powhatan, Va. 23139
Visitation:
November 8, 2013
Friday, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Bennett & Barden Funeral Home