James Donald Burgess, 79, of 6003 Jackson River Road, Covington, Virginia, died Thursday, December 18, 2014.

He was born February 22, 1935 in Bluefield, WV, a son of the late Warney G. and Edna May Gullion Burgess.

Mr. Burgess was a retired truck driver.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bertie Wolfe Burgess in 2005, and also by one brother.

Surviving are eight daughters, Shelby Florey and her husband, Tim of Arbutus, MD; Sharon Brookman of Clifton Forge; Sandra Beall and her husband, Joe of Covington; Shelia Davis and her husband, George of Pasadena, MD; Virginia Meadows and her husband, Kenneth of White Sulphur Springs, WV; Theresa Galicia and her husband, Joel; Diana Longo and her husband, Robert and Shirley Waddell and her husband, Kevin, all of Baltimore MD; two sons, James Burgess and his wife, Jodi of Hot Springs, and John Groves and his wife, Pam of Covington; a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren; two sisters, Martha Taylor of Florida and Becky Barbor of NC; one brother, Roy Burgess of Bluefield, WV; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2014 in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating.

The interment will follow in the Johnson Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Arritt Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Falling Spring Fire and Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 880, Covington, VA 24426.