Born May 11, 1947 – Died March 6, 2021
Edward Kim Burgess died peacefully on March 6, 2021 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.
He was surrounded by family, friends and music. The cause of death was meningitis.
Born in Gaffney, S.C., he was the son of the late Edward S. and Jean Becknell Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, and their daughter, Katie Burgess, his only grandchild, Wesley Houghman, and his beloved mother-in-law, Anne Ostrinsky. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Baker (Eddie), niece Caroline Ruff (Robert) and nephew Brad Baker (Teresa), along with greatnieces Hayden Ruff and Karrigan Baker and great-nephew Jamin Baker, all of Gaffney, S.C.
Kim graduated from Gaffney High School and Limestone College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After finishing college, Kim joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Italy as an X-ray technician. While in Italy, he met his future wife, Carol.
When Kim completed his military service he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a masters degree in sacred music. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Kim was the minister of music and youth at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. There he influenced two generations of youth and young adults to mature in their faith.
An accomplished tenor when he came to Groveton, he continued to sharpen his craft with graduate studies in vocal performance. As a leader, he directed a large musical organization from preschool to senior adult choir and an orchestra. Whether it was leading worship or directing musicals, Kim was always fun. When he was around, laughter abounded.
In 1987, Kim changed his career path radically by accepting a position with the Department of the Navy as a budget analyst where he supported numerous programs. There he rose to a senior financial manager and was honored many times for his dedicated service and meticulous work ethic. He retired in 2017. While still working for the Navy, he answered a call from Aldersgate United Methodist Church to step in as their adult choir leader.
Once he retired from his government service, he nurtured singers from Aldersgate forming many diverse groups like the Men of Note, the Angelics, a gifted group of high school students, and the Chorale, a group of uniquely blended voices. Among his many gifts, Kim could use his great tenor voice to augment and sing with the mixed adult choirs as he simultaneously directed them. He was also often asked to perform as a soloist where he displayed his soaring tenor voice with the Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale. In the last two years, Kim participated in the National Institute of Health's study of rare diseases.
Upon his death he was transported back to NIH for further support of research. He was truly "God's servant to the end."
A celebration of Kim's life will be held later this spring. Memorial gifts may be sent to the music program at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308.
Published in The Gaffney Ledger on Apr. 2, 2021.
Edward Kim Burgess died peacefully on March 6, 2021 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.
He was surrounded by family, friends and music. The cause of death was meningitis.
Born in Gaffney, S.C., he was the son of the late Edward S. and Jean Becknell Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, and their daughter, Katie Burgess, his only grandchild, Wesley Houghman, and his beloved mother-in-law, Anne Ostrinsky. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Baker (Eddie), niece Caroline Ruff (Robert) and nephew Brad Baker (Teresa), along with greatnieces Hayden Ruff and Karrigan Baker and great-nephew Jamin Baker, all of Gaffney, S.C.
Kim graduated from Gaffney High School and Limestone College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After finishing college, Kim joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Italy as an X-ray technician. While in Italy, he met his future wife, Carol.
When Kim completed his military service he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a masters degree in sacred music. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Kim was the minister of music and youth at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. There he influenced two generations of youth and young adults to mature in their faith.
An accomplished tenor when he came to Groveton, he continued to sharpen his craft with graduate studies in vocal performance. As a leader, he directed a large musical organization from preschool to senior adult choir and an orchestra. Whether it was leading worship or directing musicals, Kim was always fun. When he was around, laughter abounded.
In 1987, Kim changed his career path radically by accepting a position with the Department of the Navy as a budget analyst where he supported numerous programs. There he rose to a senior financial manager and was honored many times for his dedicated service and meticulous work ethic. He retired in 2017. While still working for the Navy, he answered a call from Aldersgate United Methodist Church to step in as their adult choir leader.
Once he retired from his government service, he nurtured singers from Aldersgate forming many diverse groups like the Men of Note, the Angelics, a gifted group of high school students, and the Chorale, a group of uniquely blended voices. Among his many gifts, Kim could use his great tenor voice to augment and sing with the mixed adult choirs as he simultaneously directed them. He was also often asked to perform as a soloist where he displayed his soaring tenor voice with the Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale. In the last two years, Kim participated in the National Institute of Health's study of rare diseases.
Upon his death he was transported back to NIH for further support of research. He was truly "God's servant to the end."
A celebration of Kim's life will be held later this spring. Memorial gifts may be sent to the music program at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308.
Published in The Gaffney Ledger on Apr. 2, 2021.
Born May 11, 1947 – Died March 6, 2021
Edward Kim Burgess died peacefully on March 6, 2021 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.
He was surrounded by family, friends and music. The cause of death was meningitis.
Born in Gaffney, S.C., he was the son of the late Edward S. and Jean Becknell Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, and their daughter, Katie Burgess, his only grandchild, Wesley Houghman, and his beloved mother-in-law, Anne Ostrinsky. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Baker (Eddie), niece Caroline Ruff (Robert) and nephew Brad Baker (Teresa), along with greatnieces Hayden Ruff and Karrigan Baker and great-nephew Jamin Baker, all of Gaffney, S.C.
Kim graduated from Gaffney High School and Limestone College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After finishing college, Kim joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Italy as an X-ray technician. While in Italy, he met his future wife, Carol.
When Kim completed his military service he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a masters degree in sacred music. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Kim was the minister of music and youth at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. There he influenced two generations of youth and young adults to mature in their faith.
An accomplished tenor when he came to Groveton, he continued to sharpen his craft with graduate studies in vocal performance. As a leader, he directed a large musical organization from preschool to senior adult choir and an orchestra. Whether it was leading worship or directing musicals, Kim was always fun. When he was around, laughter abounded.
In 1987, Kim changed his career path radically by accepting a position with the Department of the Navy as a budget analyst where he supported numerous programs. There he rose to a senior financial manager and was honored many times for his dedicated service and meticulous work ethic. He retired in 2017. While still working for the Navy, he answered a call from Aldersgate United Methodist Church to step in as their adult choir leader.
Once he retired from his government service, he nurtured singers from Aldersgate forming many diverse groups like the Men of Note, the Angelics, a gifted group of high school students, and the Chorale, a group of uniquely blended voices. Among his many gifts, Kim could use his great tenor voice to augment and sing with the mixed adult choirs as he simultaneously directed them. He was also often asked to perform as a soloist where he displayed his soaring tenor voice with the Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale. In the last two years, Kim participated in the National Institute of Health's study of rare diseases.
Upon his death he was transported back to NIH for further support of research. He was truly "God's servant to the end."
A celebration of Kim's life will be held later this spring. Memorial gifts may be sent to the music program at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308.
Published in The Gaffney Ledger on Apr. 2, 2021.
Edward Kim Burgess died peacefully on March 6, 2021 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia.
He was surrounded by family, friends and music. The cause of death was meningitis.
Born in Gaffney, S.C., he was the son of the late Edward S. and Jean Becknell Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, and their daughter, Katie Burgess, his only grandchild, Wesley Houghman, and his beloved mother-in-law, Anne Ostrinsky. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Baker (Eddie), niece Caroline Ruff (Robert) and nephew Brad Baker (Teresa), along with greatnieces Hayden Ruff and Karrigan Baker and great-nephew Jamin Baker, all of Gaffney, S.C.
Kim graduated from Gaffney High School and Limestone College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. After finishing college, Kim joined the U.S. Air Force and served in Italy as an X-ray technician. While in Italy, he met his future wife, Carol.
When Kim completed his military service he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a masters degree in sacred music. During the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Kim was the minister of music and youth at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. There he influenced two generations of youth and young adults to mature in their faith.
An accomplished tenor when he came to Groveton, he continued to sharpen his craft with graduate studies in vocal performance. As a leader, he directed a large musical organization from preschool to senior adult choir and an orchestra. Whether it was leading worship or directing musicals, Kim was always fun. When he was around, laughter abounded.
In 1987, Kim changed his career path radically by accepting a position with the Department of the Navy as a budget analyst where he supported numerous programs. There he rose to a senior financial manager and was honored many times for his dedicated service and meticulous work ethic. He retired in 2017. While still working for the Navy, he answered a call from Aldersgate United Methodist Church to step in as their adult choir leader.
Once he retired from his government service, he nurtured singers from Aldersgate forming many diverse groups like the Men of Note, the Angelics, a gifted group of high school students, and the Chorale, a group of uniquely blended voices. Among his many gifts, Kim could use his great tenor voice to augment and sing with the mixed adult choirs as he simultaneously directed them. He was also often asked to perform as a soloist where he displayed his soaring tenor voice with the Alexandria Choral Society and Capitol Hill Chorale. In the last two years, Kim participated in the National Institute of Health's study of rare diseases.
Upon his death he was transported back to NIH for further support of research. He was truly "God's servant to the end."
A celebration of Kim's life will be held later this spring. Memorial gifts may be sent to the music program at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Road, Alexandria, Va. 22308.
Published in The Gaffney Ledger on Apr. 2, 2021.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
