John (Jack) L. Burgess, 88 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa passed away at 7:45 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2014 at Fort Madison Community Hospital.

John was born February 15, 1926 to John and Pearl (Schmidt) Burgess in Lenox Park, Burlington, Iowa. He was united in marriage to DeVota A. (Dodie) Burch on December 3, 1949 in Bloomfield, Iowa. He served in the US Army during WWII in the motor pool in Germany. After his honorable discharge in 1946 John was an over the road trucker and had MANY stories of his millions of miles in his Peterbilt. He loved to play country music with local musicians at "jam sessions."

John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, DeVota A. (Dodie) Burgess of Fort Madison; one son, Ronald (Susie) Burgess of Tehachapi, California; three daughters, Brenda Carlson of Burlington, Jane (Scott) Hettinger of Chelsea, Iowa, and Lisa (Craig) Ireland of Iowa City, Iowa; grandchildren, DeDe (Lance) DaVolt, Minde Bostock, Carrie (Jeff) Krieger, Harvey and Hannah Ireland, Libby (Matt) Adams, Elliott Maury, step-grandchildren, Bryce and Tristian Hettinger; great grandchildren, Kendalyn (Clyde), Julian (Careena), Tavian, Bethany (Zachery), Kaetlyn, Gavin, Analyssa, Kyaira, Jaydren, and Olivia; and great-great grandchildren, Titan, Chaos, and Kenya; and many extended relatives.
John is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Thompson; brother, Duane (Bud) Burgess; and great-granddaughter, Brianne.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa with visitation 1 hour prior to services. Pastor Lanette Van will officiate. Burial with military honors will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Fort Madison.

Memorial contributions may be direct to the family to be forwarded to a charity of their choice.