Don Wesley Burgess

Don Wesley Burgess, son of the late Wesley Virgil Burgess and Juanita Faye (Jemes) Burgess was born December 29, 1959, in Lebanon, Missouri, where he grew up and attended school. During Don’s life he enjoyed things like little league baseball as a youngster, bowling, skating, horse, and bull riding, following the rodeo circuits, and enjoyed dancing to country music, going to yard sales, driving his truck, back roading, reading, surfing the internet, hunting, fishing, and going to the rivers. When Don came home to Lebanon for visits with his dog, Max, enjoyed cooking with his sister, Elaine at her home, where he stayed. However, one thing Don hated was cleaning up the mess that he made…leaving his big sister to take care of that part! Don had many talents including working on guns, buying, and tinkering with old junk mowers, tillers, weed eaters, and trailers. He greatly enjoyed repairing small engines so he could sell and make a little extra jingle for his pocket on the side. He learned the professions of house painting, drywalling, and enjoyed being a bar bouncer. Don is a long-time employee of Gold Mountain in Springfield, Missouri. He treasured each and every friendship he made there during the last twenty or so years. Don was one of the “Good Ole Boy’s.” He was a people person who made friends easily. He was a rebel rouser, had a great sense of humor, and a bit of a prankster. Don was an excellent story teller and could make you believe just about anything. Don accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and later followed in baptism. He enjoyed studying Bibles and had several in order to gain more knowledge and build a deeper relationship as he walked with God. Don would be the first to tell you he has not lived his life perfectly…nor did he understand God’s ways always. However, Don always placed his trust in the Lord even though he didn’t always understand God’s ways, and the challenges he faced weren’t always easy. Don adapted to the many things that life threw at him. He knew God was faithful and would walk beside him during each difficult twist and turn called life. The love of family and good friends also gave wind to Don’s wings. On the afternoon of Thursday, July 2, 2026, after difficult, but courageous health battles and a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Don peaceably went home to God having attained the age of 66. The love and support he was shown the past 3 weeks during his stay at Mercy Hospital in Springfield were incredible and a true blessing from the Lord. Don was shown great love and compassion as his family, old friends, co-workers, and even new friends, his nurses cared for him. The love and appreciation Don felt was deeply touching and greatly appreciated…And will never be forgotten. Don was preceded in death by his father, Wesley Virgil Burgess, his mother, Juanita Faye (Jemes) Burgess, one brother, Robert Burgess, one niece, Kimberly Elaine (Keller) Billington, and one nephew, Kenneth Don Burgess. Don leaves behind to cherish his memories, two sons, Ricky Don Biggers and his wife, Mari-Anne, and Brandon Cody Burgess all of Lebanon, MO; 2 grandchildren, Karsyn Taylor Biggers and Caleb Wesley Burgess both of Lebanon, MO; his siblings, Elaine Tasker-Amos and her husband, Jim, and Jackie Haffer all of Lebanon, MO, and Cheryl Oursbourn, and her husband, Barry of Stoutland, MO, Virgil Burgess, and his wife Darlene of Sedalia, MO, Kenneth Burgess of Grandberry, TX, and Sharon Handley and her husband, Edward “Red” of Lebanon, MO; his faithful K-9 companion, “MAX”; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends that were an extension to Don’s family. Don is someone you will not soon forget. He’s left us with a lot of memories…funny and silly stories about a man who enjoyed his life living it out as he wanted, doing it his way. Don treasured moments with family and friends and loved the way that only Don could. Today, remember Don as you share a joke, or maybe lift a drink in his memory, but don’t forget to laugh or smile as you press on until we meet again. Services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Pastor Danny Graves officiating. Music selections included, “Knowing What I Know About Heaven” by Guy Penrod, “In His Hands” by Mason Crow, and “Scars In Heaven” by Casting Crowns, and “U Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer were played. Serving as escorts were Rick Biggers, Brandon and Cody Burgess, Shane Keller, Jim Amos, Adam & Barry, Randy & Rob Tasker, Richard Starnes, Dennis Hibbi, & Hines Alford. Burial followed in the Wet Glaize Camp Ground Cemetery near Stoutland, MO. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland. THANK YOU to the team of Doctors and Nursing Staff (4th Floor) at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. These people ministered to our brother like family and Don was so thankful for the loving care he received during his three-week stay…We his family appreciate you all. And THANK YOU to Don’s co-workers at Gold Mountain in Springfield. Don’s friends have stood by his side for many years and were like Don’s second family! Last but not least, to our childhood friend, and owner of Memorial Chapel of Richland, Martin Vernon, and staff, “THANK YOU” for providing our family with a memorable tribute for Don. We will never forget each and every person and the acts of love and kindness shown to Don and his entire family. May God richly Bless you everyone! In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don Wesley Burgess may be left at the Memorial Chapel of Richland.

Don Wesley Burgess

December 29, 1959 - July 2, 2026