James Lee Burgess, Sr., 70, of Ripley passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in Charleston after a very long and extensive illness. 

He was born the son of the late Vernon and Hazel Burgess and grew up in Handley in Kanawha County. He attended East Bank High School and later became an Army veteran, enlisting at age 16 and later discharging in 1957.

James retired from Hartley Manufacturing in 1998 after being diagnosed with emphysema.  He spent the remainder of his days enjoying his family and farm on Shatto Road near Ripley, where he and his wife Betty continued raising their two children – James Lee Burgess, Jr., and April Ann Burgess (Mellinger).  James was a strong worker who believed in truly earning everything one gets and being appreciative of the same.  He was an accomplished and dedicated farmer on Shatto Road, where he aided in the family cattle and hay business until the time of his death.  In addition to his farming, James enjoyed tinkering around the home and being outside, while being a fan of sports in general and scratch-off lottery tickets.  James was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather and helped give all that he had in making everyone else a better person.  Additionally, James was a genuine good person who would do most anything for most anyone.  He was a Christian and attended Shatto Road Tabernacle near Ripley.

James was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings – Clarence Burgess (brother), Margaret Bennett (sister), Marjorie May (sister), and Charles Burgess (brother). 

In addition to his wife, Betty (Wright) Burgess, James is survived by his sister Maxine and Frank Brown of Montgomery, brother Michael and Robin Burgess of Spencer, son James Burgess, Jr., and Amanda of Ripley, and daughter April and Ross Mellinger of Ravenswood.  Additionally, James is survived by numerous grandchildren, including: Jade Burgess of Cottageville; Kodi and Levi Burgess of Ripley; and Peyton, Ashley, Katie, and Logan Mellinger, all of Ravenswood.
Services will be held at Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, with viewing services on Thursday, March 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. 

The funeral will be held on Friday, March 12, at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at Jackson Memorial Gardens. 

Pastor Joe Keefer will preside over the services.