In Loving Memory Of

Charlie Benjamin Burgess

Charlie Benjamin Burgess left this life on August 7, 2005 holding the hand of his beloved niece, Dee "Susie" Pool. He was born May 18, 1917 to Benjamin Wade Burgess and Ida Mae (Lester) Burgess. He was the adored big brother of Daisy Alice who died of diphtheria at age 2, and Hazel LaVera Burgess Colson.

As a child, Charlie moved with his family to Mena, Arkansas; Clayton and Smithville, Oklahoma and finally to Whitebead, Oklahoma where he attended school and joined the Whitebead Methodist Church. After graduation, he attended Oklahoma A & M College, now known as Oklahoma State University where he obtained his degree in petroleum engineering. He joined a oil company that went through many mergers and acquisitions and ultimately was Exxon Mobil Oil.

While at college, he met a dark eyed beauty with a 1000 watt smile who became the love of his life and his wife on April 28, 1944. Elizabeth Victoria Edgerton was his soulmate and they formed lifelong friendship through the many "oil camps" that became home in west Texas. They enjoyed travel and especially fishing and Charlie documented their adventures through his hobby of photography. Charlie lost his beloved Libby to cancer on February 6, 1969.

Upon retirement, he began a new phase of his life when he began volunteering at the Presidential Museum in Odessa, Texas. Eventually he worked 4 days a week for 15 years at this labor of love. He was able to utilize another of his many skills as a carpenter and built everything from display cabinets to furniture for the museum. Family and friends were also recipients of his handiwork in the form of furniture, playhouses, yard toys and Christmas displays all crafted with love from a giving heart.

Charlie touched so many lives and hearts, and while he was never blessed with children of his own, he loved little ones. To be honest, he particularly spoiled little girls. He considered two little girls, Dottie and Linda, as his "adopted daughters". He was particularly closed to his nephews Larry Colson and wife Debbie and Wilburn Colson and his wife Pat; and his niece Dee with whom he made his home in Oklahoma City since December, 2001.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, and beloved wife Libby. He leaves to mourn him his nephew and niece and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

We wish to thank his caregivers Debi, Kristen, Leslie, Stan and Nathan. And his precious grand-nephew and niece Andre and Dezi who led him by the hand and did their part to care for him. A special thank you to the staff of Meadowlake Estates Nursing Home and Elleve Hospice.

Memorial in the name of Charlie Benjamin Burgess may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation at 825 N. E. 13th St in Oklahoma City, OK. 73104-5097. Requested research to select would be either Alzheimer, Cancer or Diabetes. Another place that memorials may be sent is to Alleve Hospice at 8524 S. Western, Suite 105 in Oklahoma City, Ok. 73139. Memorial forms and/or envelopes are available at Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at 10:00 am at Whitebead Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Dennis Yates. Burial will be at Old Andrews Cemetery under the direction of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.