Harold Benjamin “Bobby” Burges, born Feb. 15, 1952 in West Point, Miss., a resident of Foley, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1972. He was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, Miss., for 15 years and for the past 10 years he attended St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Foley.
He was a dedicated employee for B E & K in Virginia as an iron foreman, for Burkhalter Rigging in Columbus, Miss., as a crane operator and as a sod hauler for Jet Transports in Foley. He was the owner-operator of Burges Manufactured Housing Services in Columbus, Miss., for a short time before moving the business to Foley in 2001.
He lived his life passionately and fully. He was a NASCAR enthusiast, golfer and avid bowler. Camping and fishing with his grandson and nieces were his delight. He and his wife, Sherri traveled frequently enjoying cruises and bowling tournaments in Reno and Las Vegas.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bo Burges; and son, Jimmy Burges of West Point, Miss.
Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Sherri Burges of Foley; three sons, Adam Burges of Mobile, Zakary Biggs of Foley and Robert Burges of Pasco, Wash.; two daughters, Kimberly Finch of Columbus, Miss., and Tonya Marshall of Mobile; two grandchildren, Logan Seth Burges of Columbus, Miss., and Ashley Ann Burges of Pasco, Wash.; and other close family members, including John and Mary Atkins of Columbus, Miss., Steve and Becky Kesler of Brooksville, Miss., Shawn and James Faircloth of Williston, Fla., Mike, Jessie and Jordan Junkin of Reform, Ella Pearl Pate, Bette Criddle and Roger and Jeannie Coleman of West Point, Miss.; two half-brothers, five half-sisters; his mother; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Visitation begins at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at Calvert Funeral Home in West Point, Miss., with graveside services to follow.
Honorary pallbearers are Jerry Parris, Larry Dale Parks, David Sautel, Chuck Leonhard, Jeffrey Dibble, Taylor Miller and Daryl Billingsley, friends at the Foley Gulf Bowl and band members from the Caledonia Class of 1999.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
