Curtis William "Jack" Burgess Jr.

1923 - 2025

Curtis William "Jack" Burgess, Jr.

June 21, 1923 - August 19, 2025

New Martinsville, West Virginia - Wichita, Kansas

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (Timothy 4:7-8).

Curtis was born from humble beginnings in the mountains of New Martinsville, West Virginia, on June 21, 1923. Growing up during the Great Depression, he worked hard throughout his childhood. After years of farming and working in chemical plants on the Ohio River, he said, "There's got to be a better way to make a living." So, he hitchhiked to college at 19 years old to begin his journey to a better life.

Curtis valued education highly. He graduated from Magnolia High School and attended Potomac State College of West Virginia University, and Oberlin College. His studies were interrupted by World War II (WWII) when he was drafted by the United States Marine Corps at the age of 20. As a Marine, Curtis trained and served with the Anti-Aircraft Battalion in Hawaii and attended the rigorous Marine V-12 Training Program and Officer Candidate School. Curtis said the Marines taught him "discipline and teamwork," values which he passed down to his family.

After Curtis was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant, he returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Geology from the University of Michigan. Curtis also received a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Bible Studies from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. While living in Nashville, Curtis met Ruth Naomi Dees, and married her at Hillsborough Church of Christ in 1950. Two years later, their first son, Curtis Wayne, was born.

After working as a high school chemistry and physics teacher, Curtis began working for Cities Service Company on an oil and gas geophysical exploration crew. Curtis was promoted from Staff Geologist all the way up to Chief Operations Geologist. During his career, Curtis assisted with significant discoveries in the Llanos Basin of Colombia in South America. He was a longtime member of numerous geological societies, including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Institute of Professional Geologists, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the Geological Society of America and the Houston and Tulsa Geological Societies.

In 1953, Curtis moved his family to New Iberia, Louisiana, where his daughter, Jeanette, was born. In 1954, Curtis moved his family to Houston, Texas, where his sons, Steven, Larry, and Brian were born. Curtis valued spending time with his family, including playing sports with his children, participating in Boy Scouts with his sons, and taking cross-country camping trips to visit relatives each summer.

Curtis had a strong Christian faith. He served as a deacon at Memorial Church of Christ and co-founded the Gulf Coast Christian Youth Camp. Curtis also volunteered to preach part-time in rural communities outside of Houston. Throughout his life, Curtis diligently studied the bible and could cite bible verses in detail using his photographic memory.

In 1972, Curtis moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they attended Garnett Road Church of Christ. Curtis served as a church elder for many years, volunteered in underprivileged youth outreach programs, and hosted visitors for international church events and workshops.

In 2000, Curtis and Ruth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. After Ruth's passing in 2005, Curtis's daughter, Jeanette Hanke, cared for him in his Tulsa home for thirteen years. In 2019, Curtis was moved to Wichita, Kansas, where his son, Brian Burgess, cared for him.

Curtis celebrated his 102nd birthday in June of this year, and peacefully entered into the presence of the Lord on August 19, 2025. He attributed his longevity to a strong faith in God, clean living, and a loving family.

Curtis was interred, and joined Ruth, at Floral Haven Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 26, 2025, with family present. A private memorial service and Celebration of Life is scheduled for November 29, 2025.

Curtis is survived by his children, Jeanette Hanke, Steven Burgess (Carol), Larry Burgess (Stacy), and Brian Burgess; his grandchildren, Eric Hanke (Christy), Angela Kilcullen (Steve), Mark Hanke (Tammy), Bradley Burgess, Elizabeth Casey (Chris), Lauren Burgess, Elyse Burgess, and Brandon Burgess; his great grandchildren, Emma Hanke, Tanner Hanke, Corinne Kilcullen, Claire Kilcullen, Hank Kilcullen, Abigail Gunther, Quinten Gunther, and Meredith Casey; his nieces, Patty Rea, Alice Furlong, and Lorna Capilleti; his nephew, Rodger Burgess; his grandnephews, John Burgess, Nathan Rea, Evan Long, and Russell Converse; and his grandnieces, Rebecca Burgess and Michelle Converse.

Curtis was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Naomi Dees; his son, Curtis Wayne Burgess (Cynthia - Living); his son-in-law, Frank Hanke; his parents, Curtis William Burgess, Sr. and Viola Mae Harris; his sister, Mildred Kathleen Amos; and his brother, Bob Lemoyne Burgess.