Curtis Burgess

Curtis Norman Burgess Sr. of Red Rock, Oklahoma aged 83 years, passed away on Friday, December 20th, 2024, in his home in the care of Elara Hospice. He was in the presence of his loving family and reunited with the love of his life, Shirley Ann (Willliams) Burgess.

Curtis was born September 16, 1941, in Pawnee, Oklahoma to Mark “Mike” Burgess and Iola (Plumley) Burgess. He grew up on his family homestead outside of Red Rock. He lived off the land growing up and during his teenage years helped the local farmers. He met the love of his life Shirley Williams in Red Rock and got married on March 30, 1963, and had two sons, Curtis Burgess Jr., and William “Willie” Burgess. 

Curtis “Go Go” moved to Colorado for a short time with this family to work as a welder. They returned to Oklahoma to be closer to family. They lived in Enid, Oklahoma City, and Perry before making Red Rock their final home. During that time, he worked as a welder and did numerous jobs to stay busy and made an abundant number of friends over the years. He was a former Councilman for the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians and worked for the Tribe for many years as the Maintenance Director doing various things.

He loved living the simple life, spending time with his family, spoiling grandbabies, great grandbabies, playing dominoes and cards. After retiring he would spend time at the Otoe-Missouria Tribe’s Senior Program. He enjoyed visiting with the other elders, playing dominoes, taking elder trips and being involved in the daily activities.

Curtis was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Iola Burgess, sisters Jewel, Maggie, and Joyce, brothers William and Mark Burgess. He is survived by his son, Curtis Burgess Jr. and wife Kim of Red Rock; son Willie Burgess and wife D`Ann of Red Rock; sister Bonita Diedrich and husband JC of Marshall, Oklahoma; sister Jacqueline Cardenas of Guthrie, Oklahoma, grandchildren Courtney Burgess, Tiffany Burgess and Ashley Rice, great-grandchildren Larissa, Nathan and Kaidence Jefferson, Aryanna Burgess, along with great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.