George Riley Burgess

1944 - 2024

George Riley Burgess

August 1, 1944 - September 13, 2024

TWIN FALLS - It is with deep sadness that George Riley Burgess, 80, left this world on September 13, 2024, surrounded by his family.

He was born August 1, 1944, to Elmo Grant and Luella M. Burgess in Fallon, Nev. The middle child of three boys.

George graduated high school as a Mustang in Lovelock, Nev., in 1963 and the same year moved to Idaho with his family. Here he met his wife of 58 years, Betty Jean Burgess. They had three daughters: Betty Irene Ashby, Wendy Susanna Bohrn, and Sarah Annette Johnson. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

George served in the National Guard for six years before he showed his many talents. He learned to service and sell Singer sewing machines. He worked with and for his dad and mom selling R.V.'s, manufactured homes, Seaswirl boats, and then owning his own business in 1986 as being a Snapper and Briggs & Stratton dealer. He worked and held this business close to his heart, until his passing.

He knew how to treat people right and strived to always do the right thing. He always helped someone when they needed it. He became known as the "Lawnmower Man" and had a five-star rating he was proud of. If you were blessed enough to come across George's path, whether you were a customer, a stranger in the store or taking his order for lunch, he touched your life in one way or another.

George was never without an animal of some sort. One of his favorite loves was his dear "Brownie" as a kid. As a young man, he absolutely adored his pet monkey "Sammy". George had a border collie "Heidi" that passed before him and it took six years to replace that emptiness with his sweet "Aggie", which brought so much joy and many smiles for him.

George was the hardest working man anyone knew and worked up to the day he went in the hospital. He loved his family so much and never hesitated to tell them he loved them. He was proud of us and thankful for us. He was respected for his kindness and honesty and loved by so many. George also knew how much he was appreciated.

George will never be forgotten, especially as his daughters continue to carry out his wishes and continue his legacy in all aspects of what he taught and showed them through his loving years of raising them. We will forever miss his twinkling blue eyes, beautiful smile, tender ways, and his example to others.

Through the long endurance of fighting cancer, no matter what he was going through he did not complain. He tried with all his will to stay on this earth, with family and his community. Although, he never feared dying because he was a God-fearing man that was faithful to God and knew this was only a temporary life. He was at peace with returning to his Heavenly Father, if that was God's will.

George was preceded in death by his brother; Ray Burgess; father and mother, Elmo & Luella Burgess.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Burgess; daughters, Irene (Shane) Ashby, Wendy (Mark) Bohrn, and Sarah Johnson; aunt, Rayola Curry; brother, Ralph Burgess as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, dogs, birds, cats, and chickens.

This world lost a beautiful man, but we look forward to meeting again in the Kingdom of God.

There will be a funeral service honoring George on Friday, September 27, 2024, starting at 11 a.m., held at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel; 2466 Addison Ave. E., Twin Falls, Idaho. There will be a viewing held the evening before from 5 to 7 p.m., held at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel. George will be laid to rest at Rock Creek Cemetery in Hansen, Idaho. Following the graveside service, friends and family are welcome to join the family of George for food and refreshments, back at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel.