Oliver Burgess

Longtime Flagler, Colorado resident Oliver Royal “Pat� Burgess passed away December 20, 2005 at his home in Flagler, Colorado. He was 84 years of age. Pat was born on November 27, 1921 in Lebanon, Kansas to Albert Lewis and Gladys Goldie (Stoner) Burgess. He was one of two children. Pat attended school in the Prairie School System north of Flagler and graduated from the eighth grade. Pat married Laverna Reed in Goodland, Kansas on May 28, 1943. To this union were born Steve in 1947, Dwight in 1950 and Beth Ann in 1960. Pat started working on cars in Mankato, Kansas at the local Chevrolet dealer. He later moved his family to Seibert and then to Flagler and worked as an auto mechanic for Fruhling Motors and M&S Motors for many years, until lead poisoning forced him to change careers and become a diesel mechanic working on John Deere equipment for many years. Everything that he knew about diesel mechanics, he learned on his own. Pat also had a passion to hunt and fish. He also liked watching football and basketball on TV. Pat was a past member of the Odd Fellows; he was a member of the Flagler Town Sewer Board, Ducks Unlimited and a lifetime member of the Rifleman’s Association. He was also a member of the First Congregational Church in Flagler. On February 21, 1978, Pat married Myrtle Marie Masters. Upon this union, Pat claimed all of Myrtle’s children as his own. Most of all, Pat enjoyed spending time with his family. Preceding Pat in death is his parents, one sister Dorothy Mizner, and one granddaughter Christie Marie Rush. Pat is survived by his wife Myrtle of the home, three son’s Steve Burgess and his wife Margaret of Limon, Colorado, Dwight Burgess of Flagler, Colorado, and Gerald Masters and his wife Jill of Stratton. He is also survived by five daughters Beth Ann Cook and her husband Bernie of Vancouver, WA, Janet Short of Stratton, Colorado, Janice Niles and her husband Raymond of Seibert, Colorado, Myrna Rush and her husband Tom of Arriba, Colorado, and Kathryn Rowden and her husband Brian of Flagler, Colorado. He is also survived by seventeen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Funeral Services for Mr. Burgess were held on Friday, December 23, 2005 at 9:00 AM at the First Congregational Church in Flagler with Pastor Bob Strauch officiating. Burial followed in the Thurman Cemetery north of Arriba, Colorado. Visitation was held one hour prior to services at the Church in Flagler. Memorials may be made in Pat’s name and may be left at the High Plains Bank in Flagler.