Craig Michael Burgess

Memorial Services for Craig Michael Burgess who passed away with family at his side in the early morning hours of January 5th, 2023, will be conducted this Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock from the Posey Funeral Chapel. Craig was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 15th, 1944 to Mitchell and Kathryn Burgess. His family lived in Clinton, Iowa for a few years before settling down in Aiken, South Carolina. He answered the call to serve his country during the Vietnam War and joined the United States Marine Corps. He obtained the rank of corporal and was awarded a National Defense Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Rifle Marksmanship Badge, and multiple Purple Heart Medals. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in both Chemistry and Biology. He remained a fervent Gamecock fan for the rest of his life. While at USC he met Iris Gwendolyn Teal and they married on January 22nd, 1972. They were married for 32 years until Iris passed away in 2005. Craig worked as a Plant Manager for both the Graniteville Company and the Milliken Company for many years. Craig had a deep and abiding love of nature and all outdoor pursuits, particularly hunting and fishing. He was always at his happiest when he was in the great outdoors. He was a long-standing member of the CNT Hunting Club, amongst whose members he will be sorely missed. He is survived by his two daughters, Catherine Kjarstie Burgess Puetz (Joe) and Kristina Teal Burgess Armstrong; his grandson Joseph Puetz II and granddaughter Gabrielle Puetz; his sister Lynn Pope (James); his sister-in-law Rose Burgess (Tam); his brother-in-law Dennis Teal (Catherine); his brother-in-law Beler Boswell(Teresa) his nieces and nephews Erik Pope, Ann Booth, Bethany Paetow, Bart Boswell, Brooks Boswell, Stuart Teal, and Kelly Teal; his pets Randolph, Chester, Coco, and Maggie; as well as his many beloved friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Puetz, Joseph Puetz II, Russell Todd, Steve McLaughlin, Dennis Teal, Isaac Rodgers, Kevin Cullum, Erik Pope, and Carl Brack Jr. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare at letlovelive.org

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Craig Michael Burgess

August 15, 1944 - January 5, 2023