Alton Burgess

Alton Burgess, dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and faithful friend went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, June 1, 2006. Alton grew up on a northeast Texas farm. He graduated from high school at DeKalb in 1939, and attended East Texas State one year. He served his country through a tour of duty with the Naval Air Corps during World War II from 1942-1945. During this time he met and married Dorothy Aline Hall who remained the love of his life. He enrolled in Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1946 pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Agriculture. Upon his graduation in 1948, he immediately began work on graduate studies, earning his Master's degree in 1950. He taught Vocational Agriculture from 1948 to 1957. Alton graduated from the Institute of Insurance Marketing at Southern Methodist University and began his career in the insurance field joining the endeavors of a then new company, National Farm Life, in 1957. He was instrumental in the success of the company. Alton excelled to receive the highest awards the company had to offer including the President's Star Salesman and the President's Cabinet Awards. Alton also received numerous professional honors and industry awards throughout his career and has been a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table. In 1969, he received his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) degree from the American College of Life Underwriters in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He remained one of the highest achievers in his field throughout his life and found great joy in guiding others to achieve success. He used his education to serve the needs of the agricultural community. His attitude was "I’ll never retire as long as there is a need for me and my service", and he lived up to that. He was an honorable man believing that the truth was all that mattered regardless of the consequences. While achieving prominence in his profession, Alton remained active with Sam Houston State and the education of others. In 1975, he was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Association of School Boards in recognition "of dedicated and unselfish service to improve public education and enhance the prestige, dignity, and progress of the local boards of education of Texas." He worked tirelessly in the recruitment of students into the agriculture program. He has served as President of the Sam Houston Agriculture Alumni and was instrumental in the establishment of the Willie Frank Hall Trust Fund for Ag-Education Majors. He assisted in the placement of graduates and for many years hosted a luncheon for SHSU Agricultural Education Student teachers. In 1991, Mr. Burgess was presented the Distinguished Alumni Award of Sam Houston State University. In 1975, Alton and his wife Dorothy moved from Alvin, Texas to Huntsville where they have remained active in community as well as university activities. He was a Gideon, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite, a Master Mason, and an active member of the Huntsville Lions Club along with University Heights Baptist Church. Alton and Dorothy generously served University Heights Baptist Church, Sam Houston State University, and the Huntsville Community. Alton battled a severe heart ailment for more than 11 years. Again, he was determined to overcome and he did until complications set in. Alton loved his family dearly and they are assured that they will meet again someday. "Alton, we will miss you here, but will prepare to meet you there." Alton was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Sue and grandson Stephen. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Dorothy, daughter Connie Robinson, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Friends are invited to a visitation with the family on Sunday, June 4, 2006 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home at 1700 Normal Park Drive, Huntsville, Texas. Services celebrating Alton’s life will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 5, 2006 at University Heights Baptist Church located at 2400 Sycamore, Huntsville, Texas, under the direction of Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Mayes Addition of Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com