Donald Patrick Burgess

Burgess, Donald Patrick was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 13, 1924, where he married Dorothy Mae Johnson in 1947. He left high school at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1941. While in the Navy, he served as an aircrew member, plane captain, and navigator. He flew out of the Aleutian Islands, Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, Guam, Tinian, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Peleliu. After World War II, he returned to Minneapolis, where he completed high school at age 21. He then attended the University of Minnesota completing a 4 year course in 2 1/2 years, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor's degree with honors of Magna Cum Laude. He entered the FBI as a special agent in January 1951 and retired in June 1976. While in the FBI, he specialized in counter-intelligence and organized crime. He served in Pittsburgh, Boston, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. He received commendations for many investigations, including the Barbara Mackle kidnapping and the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination. He enjoyed hobbies of gardening and amateur military historian, but most of all he enjoyed his family. After retiring from the FBI, he, along with Dick Hamilton (another retired agent), operated a private security investigation firm in Atlanta from 1977 to 1989. Burgess was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and the Society of Former Agents. Also, he was a long-time volunteer at Northside Hospital. He is survived by his daughter Susan O'Sheasy and son-in-law Mike O'Sheasy of Roswell, GA; son Don Burgess and daughter- in-law Cynthia Burgess of Alma, CO; grandchildren Beth Nash, Megan Hagood, Caroline O'Sheasy, and Daniel Burgess; and great-grandchildren Caleb Nash and Kathryn Hagood. A mass be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338 at 2:00PM on Friday October 15, 2010. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Altus House Hospice, 5411 Northland Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30342. Arrangements by SouthCare Cremation Society and Memorial Centers in Alpharetta, GA. (678) 735-5500.

Published on October 15, 2010