James Quentin Burgess

James Quentin Burgess (1929-2025)

James Quentin Burgess, 96, passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2025, in Port Charlotte, Florida. Born on February 14, 1929, in Louisa, Kentucky, James ("Q") lived a full life of passion and love.

As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, James served his country with honor and integrity, teaching others to use electromagnetic equipment. After his military career, he attended Ohio State University and spent his career as an engineer, solving problems with precision and care, and earning his professional license. James was also a long-term member of the Unitarian Universalist community both in Dayton, Ohio and Port Charlotte, Florida and was active in PFLAG (formerly known as Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and in supporting gender equality for all. Please honor James by making donations to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of your choice, to PFLAG at https://pflag.org/donate/, or to the suicide prevention hotline for GLBTQA people at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Archer Burgess of Port Charlotte, Florida and his children from his first marriage, Gordon Burgess (Sujata) of Chardon, Ohio (Grandchildren Collete and Sarah) and Martha Burgess of Beavercreek, Ohio, Granddaughter Ruth (James) Heidenreich of Beavercreek, Ohio, Great-grandchildren Abigail and Ella Heidenreich and Grandson John (Jenny) Barber of Beavercreek, Ohio, Great-grandchildren Jackson and Jace Barber and his stepdaughter Anne Ivy (Matt) of Denver Colorado as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte Burgess (Boswell), his son, David James Burgess (1960-2007), his parents, Autie and Marie Burgess of Louisa Kentucky and his seven siblings (Charles, Rebecca (Bogema) Phillip, Ted, Harold, John and Kathleen (Thacker).