Warren Burgess ’51

Rev. Warren D. Burgess, 91, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 with his family who adored him by his side.

Warren was born on December 16, 1927, in Grand Rapids, the son of Arthur and Alice Burgess. He was brought up on the family farm on 100th street, attended Caledonia High School, Hope College and graduated from Western Theological Seminary in 1952. Warren married the love of his life, Jean Wright, on August 19, 1949, and together they launched into a life of ministry that lasted 67 years. Over the coming years they served churches in Muskegon, Clinton, Iowa, Grand Rapids, Hamilton and Traverse City. It soon became clear that Warren had been called, above and beyond all else, to preach the Gospel, to be a care provider for those within and outside of his congregations and also to be the patriarch over five generations of Burgess’.

In 1992 he was elected Vice President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America and assumed the Presidency the following year.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Alice Burgess; brother and his wife, Donald and Dee Burgess. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Jean; children, Kathy (Bob) Piers, Mike (Pat) Burgess, Randy (Joan) Burgess, Daniel (Lori) Burgess, Timothy (Heidi) Burgess; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Harold (Norine) Burgess, Joan (Ronald) Johnson, Dick (Mick) Burgess; and many nieces and nephews.

Return to Current In Memoriam