James Lawrence Burgess

James L. Burgess, Sr., 63, of 187 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville, died Saturday, May 10, 2003, at his home after an extended illness. Mr. Burgess born in Asheville and was a son of the late James E. Burgess and Christine Burgess Talley. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Leslie. He was a veteran of the US Army, proudly serving as an MP and traveling throughout Europe. Prior to his illness he was very involved in athletics and was a fan of Erwin High School and Wingate University. He was the former owner and operator of Burgess Nursing Registry. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Cothran Burgess; two sons, Christopher Burgess of Alexander and Jamie Burgess and his wife Ashley of Enka Village; two daughters, Mary Lisa Loggins Knight and her husband Dwayne of Monroe, GA and Amber Burgess and Michael Suggs of Hendersonville; four grandsons, Garrett, Dillon, and Wyatt Knight of Monroe, GA and Kolin Burgess of Enka Village, and a granddaughter Katelyn Tweed of Enka Village. He will be fondly remembered by all of his friends for his sense of humor and willingness to help his fellow man. His family was his greatest joy and he was most proud of being a father and grandfather. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home. His family will receive friends from 7 - 8:30 pm Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to Eliada Home for Children, PO Box 16708, Asheville, NC 28816.