Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

April 6, 2021

Captain Frank Maurice Burgess USN Ret.

Retired Navy Captain Frank M Burgess died peacefully on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Sharon Towers in Charlotte. He was born in Laurens, SC on November 5, 1934 to his parents, Dolphus E Roy Burgess and Ola Mac Carley Burgess. Frank attended Laurens High School and Presbyterian College where he graduated with a BS in Economics and Mathematics. In 1956, Frank was selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and then served active duty in Washington, DC as part of the Military Sea Transportation Service. He moved up through the ranks with many letters of commendation and continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until his retirement as Captain in 1990. Frank moved to Charlotte in 1960 and took a job in sales for The Kendall Company before starting his own business, Small Pak Chemicals which made printing inks for textile mills.

Frank is survived by his children, Lauren Burgess Campbell (and her husband, Malcolm Worth Campbell) and Frank M Burgess, jr. (and his wife, Heather Ryan Burgess); five grandsons, Duncan McLean Campbell, Elliott Burgess Campbell, William Laurens Campbell, Cooper Snipes Burgess and Ryan Tate Burgess. He also leaves behind his dear friend, Patsy Heavner as well as his brother Robert L Burgess (and his wife, Evelyn Burgess), and many well loved nieces and nephews. Frank was preceded in death by his parents and sister Teresa Burgess Rosenberg (and her husband, Harold Robert Rosenberg).

A gifted athlete, Frank was a competitive basketball player as well as a scratch golfer and student of the game. He lived on the water at Lake Wylie and could be seen riding at sunset with his dog, Penny, or slalom skiing well into his golden years. Raised on a farm, Frank loved working with his hands and grew tomato plants or a vegetable garden every summer. He often worked in his yard until dark and his lawn looked like a scene from Augusta National. He loved The Masters and NASCAR, the Tarheels (How bout them Heels?) and the Panthers, but most of all he was a devoted fan at kid’s field hockey, baseball or soccer games to cheer on his children and grandsons. An unassuming, kind man, Frank always had time to build a soapbox derby car or throw a baseball/softball in the yard for hours. His love for his family was the most important part of his life.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte. Memorials can be made to The Humane Society of Charlotte, The American Red Cross, or Myers Park Baptist Church.

The family would like to give their sincere thanks to Ronald Harris, Frankie Sturdivant, Doris Fesperman, Montoya Green, David Phelps and the caring staff at Sharon Towers who touched Frank’s heart especially Stella, Jackie and Charles.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.