Franklin Clinton Burgess

Mr. Franklin Clinton “Kent” Burgess, 80 of Monroe, NC was miraculously healed as he took his heavenly flight home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. He was born in Lancaster County, SC on January 5, 1941 to the late William Franklin Burgess and the late Christine McManus Burgess. He is preceded in death by one brother, Chuck Burgess and one sister, Kathy Allred. Kent is survived by his wife, Shelby Dial Burgess, two daughters, Donna (Randy) Ferguson and Dawn (Kevin) Shaw, two stepsons, Bryan Dial and Frederick Dial, five grandchildren, Jordan (Jennifer) Ferguson, Taylor Ferguson, Cameron (Briana) Shaw, Preston Helms, Nicole Shaw, three step-grandchildren, Christina Dial, Mary Elizabeth Dial, Angelina Dial, one great-grandson, Thomas Ferguson and one step great-granddaughter, Gracie Dial. He is survived by his brother Stan (Ellen) Burgess of Monroe, NC, sister Judy Keziah of Monroe, NC and one brother-in-law David Allred of Monroe, NC. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Sandy Ridge Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 10:30 am - 11:45 am in the church sanctuary. The funeral will begin at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Service will be live on Facebook through the church website. Kent’s younger years were lived much differently than his later years. He was the kind of man who was quiet but carried a big stick if he needed it. In 1978, he traded the old life for a new one when he accepted Jesus Christ. He never regretted it and he never looked back. Even with trading in the old life he kept the fun stuff; his love of motorcycles, guns, his backhoe and guitars. He grew more each day as a Christian and loved every minute of it. After 38 years he retired from Resolute Forest Products formally Bowater Paper Mill. Kent was a jack of all trades and spent his retirement years helping his family, the community and his church. He was happiest when he was using his backhoe to move dirt or tinkering in his shop. One of his greatest pleasures was singing and playing music each Friday night at “Kent’s Place”. He loved opening his home to the many people that came and enjoyed old country music and church hymns. He loved the time spent with his family, old friends and making new friends. Kent faced many medical battles over the last year. Starting last August when he fell and shattered his wrist, going to the hospital a week later to have it fixed, but instead suffered a heart attack in the surgery waiting area. Many lung and heart problems landed him in the hospital many more times over the past year. His hand was never able to be corrected because too much time had passed, but he used his guitar as his therapy to strengthen it by his gripping of the chords. A few weeks ago, he sang and played his guitar for the first time after shattering his wrist at Sandy Ridge’s church homecoming. Monday morning September 6 was his last ambulance ride to the hospital. Except for some trouble breathing, he looked pretty healthy and was still cracking jokes. Things were not the same though internally. The next 24 hours were treacherous for him as one by one his organs began to fail. What man could stand five cardiac arrests in 24 hours. He stayed strong and professed his Lord until he could speak no more. That’s the strength of Kent Burgess; husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and many more things to many more people. As he went up from that bed Wednesday afternoon to his heavenly home, he didn’t say goodbye, he mostly likely said his favorite farewell, “See you in the funny papers.” Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112.