Gerald "Ted" Theodore Burgess
Gerald "Ted" Burgess Obituary
Gerald Theodore Burgess, known affectionately as “Ted” by his family and friends was received by his heavenly father on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016. Ted was born the sixth and youngest child to Guy T. and Oleta Burgess in Anaheim, California because there wasn’t a hospital in La Habra, California at the time of his birth on December 9, 1945. While growing up in La Habra, Ted was actively involved in the local 4-H Club and the youth groups of both the Church of Christ of La Habra and the La Mirada Christian Church. Ted was an exceptional student and athlete and the recipient of many awards in both areas. During his high school days, Ted was involved with Youth for Christ, where he served as an officer of the club at La Habra High School. He ran on the Cross Country Team for La Habra High for four years as well as the track team for only three years, when during his senior year the family moved to Clovis, California where Ted finished his high school education at Clovis High School, running on the track team. Ted was successful in lettering in both sports. Ted continued his education at Fullerton Community College and graduated from California State University of Fullerton in January of 1974, with a Bachelors of Arts in Administrative Management. It was during this time period that Ted proudly served in the California Army National Guard. Ted received a certificate for Airframe Repair from the Army Transportation School. After getting his college degree Ted worked for Hughes Helicopter in the beginning phases of their weapons control system that now uses pilot brainwaves and line of directed sight. While in the Army National Guard, he met a friend Bobby Bianco whose family was into large scale farming in the Fresno area. It was on the Bianco farm where Ted tested his first patented hard metal by hard facing the plow shear behind the Cat track. His shear outlasted the other shears about ten to one. That patented metal was bought by a 3-M Company for petroleum and mining. During this time period in the latter part of the 1970’s Ted met the love of his life and on March 17, 1978, he married Georgi Haas. The purchase of the patented metal led Ted and Georgi to move to the Houston, Texas area where he patented or did patent pendings on more metals over his early years in Houston. Ted and Georgi resided in Houston for over 30 years where Ted has been part owner of P and M Hard Metals. For nearly 30 years they celebrated life together as husband and wife until her passing on February 21, 2008. During their life together they loved to frequent Hawaii and Yosemite, two of their favorite places to vacation. Ted suffered a heart attack during December, 2008, and just like “Ted Fashion” he drove himself to the hospital. On December 31, 2008, Ted had quadruple bypass surgery. This was a tough transition for Ted, as he was not accustomed to taking multiple medications. Once he accepted the multiple meds, Ted really ended up enjoying the limited ability of life for the next 8 years. Ted was often found serving the less fortunate in his community and he enjoyed several hobbies which included photography where he enjoyed capturing moments of family and friends coming together and also the great gifts of God’s creation, especially in the beauty of the roses in his garden, dedicated to his beloved Georgi. Ted’s love of cars and motorcycles led him to restore his dad’s 1964 Chevrolet Nova with his good friend Richard Palicz and rebuilding his 1970 Honda 750 Motorcycle. The Nova was his key to joining the Houston Inliners Club where he enjoyed going to meetings and participating in club events. He and Richard also enjoyed working together in doing a full frame-off restoration of a 1974 Chevrolet Stepside pickup truck. Ted is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Phyllis Ann Burgess and Mildred Gavin, and his brother William E. Burgess. He is survived by his sisters Louise LaHargoue of Fresno, California and Judy Wells of Templeton, California, many nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a close friend Richard Palicz who was like a brother to him. Ted was seemingly a quiet man, who lived a generous life style that can best be summed up in the motto: “It is better to give than to receive”. There will be two Celebrations of Life Services for Ted, one held in Texas and the other in California. The first held on Saturday, January 14, 2017, at 10:00 am at the Bellaire West Community Center, 11511 Rowan, Houston, Texas. The second service will be on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 11:00 am at the La Mirada Christian Church, La Mirada, California.
Memorial contributions can be made to any of the following charities, (a few of Ted’s favorites) in memory of Ted Burgess.
The Alley Theater
615 Texas Ave.
Houston, Texas 77002
Disabled American Veterans
3725 Alexandria Pike
Cold Springs, KY 41076
Houston Humane Society
P.O. Box 450528
Houston, Texas 77072
Star of Hope Mission
6897 Ardmore
Houston, TX 77054
California State University Fullerton
Memorial Scholarship Fund Information forthcoming
A celebration of his life will be held 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Bellaire West Community Club House, 11511 Rowan, Houston, Texas 77072.
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