Wesley Wilmer Burgess' Obituary
DR. WESLEY WILMER BURGESS of Dallas, Texas passed away on February 16, 2023. He was born on February 18, 1926, to Wilmer Wiley and Margaret Belle Thompson Burgess. He married Sarah Earline Burgess on February 8, 1958. Wesley grew up in Dallas, Texas, and graduated from North Dallas High School and Southern Methodist University followed by Baylor University College of Dentistry with a dental surgery degree. He later taught at Baylor University College of Dentistry.
He was a Captain in the United States Air Force.
After completion of his service, he established his private dental practice near downtown Dallas. His successful practice and generous spirit carried, sustained, and lifted the lives of his immediate family, leaving a lasting impact on them and the generations to follow. In addition, Dr. Burgess was a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, and American Dental Association.
He was a practicing dentist until the age of 96.
His passions included his family, classical and flamenco guitar, and photography. He played 1st violin with the North Dallas High School Orchestra, the Dallas Youth Orchestra, and with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Multiple times he won 1st prize in the Dallas Morning News photo contests and the Texas Dental Association photo contests.
He made lifelong friends of so many through his church, dental practice, and world travels. For more than 5 decades Wesley and his wife Earline were members of Park Cities Baptist Church where Minister of Pastoral Care, Dr. Jack Martin was an important friend and trusted spiritual advisor.
Dr. Burgess also took great pride in mentoring and supporting the family of Manuel and Cesar Crispin of Dallas.
Dr. Burgess was preceded in death by his wife, Earline, his mother Margaret, father Wilmer, and sisters Patsy Ruth Watkins and Mary Margaret Messina. He is survived by his sister, Joanne January, nephews Joel January, Jason January (wife Laura and family), and Jeffrey January (wife Seana and family), Brother-in-law Joe Messina, niece Jennifer Patterson (husband John and family) niece Stephanie Huckstep (husband Joe and family), and nephew Joe Messina (wife Tonya and family), niece Terri Pratt-Yates and family and nephew Mark Watkins and family, plus 1 great-great niece and 5 great-great nephews.
Dr. Burgess was a kind and generous man that impacted the lives of many. He will be missed but always remembered.
A memorial will be held on Sunday, March 12, at 2:30pm at the Ellis chapel at Park Cities Baptist Church on Northwest Highway in Dallas.
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