Retired Captain John D. Burgess, loving husband and father, passed away at his home in Fredericksburg, Texas on Sunday, March 29, 2009, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. John was 78 years old.

John was born June 21, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, to the late George and Carolyn Burgess. John “Smokey” Burgess started his U.S. Navy career by enlisting in 1951, and was shipped out to Flight Training in Pensacola, Florida. John received his commission and wings from Rear Admiral J.P. Whitney in December 1952, and was assigned to Kingsville, Texas for Anti-Sub Training. In 1954 John was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and deployed to the USS Mindoro, the “Mighty Minnie”, with further assignment to the USS Monterey searching for Russian Submarines. John received the National Defense Service Ribbon and the Navy Occupation Medal (European Clasp) while serving in the armed forces. Upon Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy, John secured employment with Trans World Airlines, first as a co-pilot in 1955 and then as Captain. John began his TWA career in the days of Howard “old tennis shoes” Hughes, starting with the flying of the Constellation. Working his way up the seniority list, he gained certifications to fly every aircraft in the TWA fleet. Thirty-three years later, John retired as an International TWA Captain commanding 747’s.

Captain Burgess was recalled to the U.S. Navy in 1960 as full Lieutenant where he was stationed at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Washington D.C., as a VIP Transport Pilot. While serving his reserve recall, Lieutenant Burgess received commendation letters from Rear Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., Rear Admiral V.L. Lowrance and Robert Crown, National President of the Navy League. Captain Burgess was honorably discharged from his Reserve Duty in 1963 and returned to his position with TWA until his retirement in 1989.

John was affiliated with many organizations and community volunteer projects; Docent for the Nimitz Museum, specializing in his flight experience with the TBM Avenger and an active participant in the Nimitz Symposiums; Benefactor Member of the National Rifle Association; Life Member of the Tailhook Association; Member of the CV-30 Anti-submarine Squadron (Diamondcutters); Member of the American Legion Post #1 (Paris); Fifty year Brother and Life Member of the Fraternal Order of the Free Masons; Member of the TWA Active Retired Pilots Association and Life Member of the GOP.

Captain John D. Burgess is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Burgess, his daughter and son-in-law, Jutea Burgess Ballard and Christopher Jason Ballard; his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Wayne and Carrie Ann Porter; five grandchildren, Nancy, Frank, Grant, Jordan and Griffyn; one brother, George H. Burgess, Jr. (Birdie) and one sister, Elizabeth Louise. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased in death by wife, Nancy Tilroe; daughter, Julia Elizabeth Sullivan and sister, Joyce Anne.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nimitz Reenactment Island Assault Program or charity of choice. Internment to take place at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida at a later date by the family.

Netflix DVD Rental