Rick Ralph Burgess, 64, of Hoquiam, Wash. passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at 4:37 a.m. due to complications of ALS.
The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, at Harbor City Church at 1700 Cherry St, Aberdeen, WA 98520. Reverend Doug Cotton of Harbor City Church will be officiating. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Harrison Family Mortuary.
Rick was born in Aberdeen on July 10, 1953. He graduated from Hoquiam High School and continued on to attend Green River Community College where he studied business.
Rick was married to his high school sweetheart, Linda Hart Burgess on May 10, 1980; they were married 34 years. He was married to his “My Maria” Burgess on Sept. 6, 2014.
Rick an entrepreneur started his first business at the young age of 20 – a record store in Hoquiam. Throughout his life he owned and operated several brick and mortar businesses. In 1981 Rick remodeled a hotel and turned it into a restaurant and lounge named Doc Holidays in Aberdeen. In 1985 he remodeled the Rocker Tavern and turned it into Sidney’s Restaurant and during this time he worked as a band promoter, promoting bands such as The Who, Three Dog Night, The Ramones, Heart, The Bellamy Brothers, Ricky Nelson, Dr. Hook, Jesse Collin Young, Robin Trower, The Who, and many many more. In 2000 Rick turned Sidney’s into a Casino & V-Twin Lounge. Finally, he owned and operated Coastline Signs in Aberdeen from 2004 to 2018, during which time he sold and gifted signs to many long-term friends as well as employing almost every single family member at some point in time. Rick was a talented carpenter and wood worker. He was a certified commercial electrician. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, enjoying long rides with everyone in his family to which he gifted the use of his Harleys, so that The Wild Ones could all ride together in one big Burgess Biker Gang. He loved his days at his Lake Cushman house, where Bob Marley could often be heard down at the dock, and where you were sure to find him sunbathing, Diet Coke in hand and a smile on his face. Rick was obsessed with his dogs, especially the latest Bobby. His house was never without a Boston Terrier or five. Rick loved everything about baseball, but was happiest if he was living this sport by coaching his kids. His love for baseball pushed him to open RBI concessions, a concessions for a Minor League team the Grays Harbor Gulls. He was also actively involved in Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, Served at the mission regularly, donated to several local churches, always found a way to help people in his life and sponsored several sports team. His greatest love was his Family and devotion to Jesus. Rick was diagnosed with ALS in January 2017 and as his disease progressed “his Maria” not only was his loving companion but his full time caregiver. Although confined to bed for the last months of his life, Rick was dedicated to healing the world he lived in. He encouraged broken relationships to be mended, communication to be opened, and forgiveness among those who were in conflict. He gathered his friends and family together and reminded them of the importance of love and forgiveness. He reminded them often to do the “right thing” and be mindful of the teachings of Jesus. He told those who were not believers what they were missing. He had function of only the thumb on his left hand and laboriously typed messages to those who needed prayer. He was positive and brave—no self-Pity for him. He wanted everyone he knew to KNOW Jesus. That was his mission- to share the Greatest Love Ever Known.
Rick is survived by wife Maria Burgess of Hoquiam, daughter Sonja Ferrara (Mike) of Tacoma, son Kile Menzel-Burgess (Jeny) of Magalia, Calif., son Christian Burgess (Ashton) of Aberdeen, daughter Desiree Burgess Alford (Ron) of Kent, daughter Traci Burgess – Ainsworth (Ryan) of Tacoma, son Dustin Brewer of Aberdeen, daughter Ana Souza of Hoquiam and son Paulo Henrique of Brazil, grandchildren LaRie Blake (Aron) and Aaron Jacobson, Ila Menzel-Burgess, Ady Menzel-Burgess, Walker Menzel-Burgess, Hallie Lue Burgess, Harper Burgess, Kiley Burgess, Rhonni Thompson, Connor Hinkle, Hartley Alford-Burgess, Vanny Alford, PK Alford, Maci Ainsworth, great-grandson Logan Blake, sisters Debra Kilcup and Delite Smith, and brother Mike Burgess, and Best Friend, Mark Bowman and other family and friends.
Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ila Burgess.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to The ALS Foundation for research. The family of Rick Burgess wishes to thank Doug Cotton and Harbor City church and staff, Promise Preschool, Harrison Family Mortuary, the Mike Burgess Family, Delite Smith, Debra Kilcup, Brendan Lowther-Wilde, Morgan Christo, Margie Kauffman, Bits Brandt, Brad Worthley, Shari Voight, Chuck and Diane Dudrey, Tiffanee Parson, and Dori Harrison.
