Emery Jackson Burgess Sr., 81, rural Columbia City, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at his home in Columbia City.

He was born Nov. 25, 1941.

He married Eva Jean McCormick on Nov. 4, 1961.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Eva; children, Dana Burgess, Columbia City, Deborah J. Sullivan, Luthersville, Ga. and Emory J. Burgess Jr., New Haven; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and siblings, Clinton and Ernest Burgess, Columbus, Ohio, Donna Kay York and Francis Puckett, Albemarle, N.C.

Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, is in charge of arrangements.