Mark Dudley Burgess

Burgess, Mark Dudley

Age 64, of Jackson passed away in the arms of his loving wife on Saturday, August 21, 2021 after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. He went straight from the loving embrace of his soulmate to the loving embrace of the One who created his soul.

Mark was born on December 3, 1956 to Merwin "Mick" Burgess and Virginia (Crider) Burgess. The third of four children, he was particularly close with his younger brother Mitch and looked up to his older sister, Cyndy, and brother, Mike. As children, Mark and Mitch formed close friendships with the other boys in their neighborhood; friendships that remain to this day.

While in elementary school at St. Johns, he met Paulette DuPuis. He fell head-over-heals in love and proposed to her with the bracelet from a Cracker Jacks box when they were 8 years-old. She said yes, and after a 16 year-long engagement, the two were married on August 10, 1979.

Mark and Paulette became the proud parents to three amazing children, Hannah, Halette, and Mark, and raised them to understand the importance of a strong work ethic and to appreciate the great outdoors. With the birth of his first grandchild, Olivia, Mark gained the title of "Papa" and played the role exceptionally well. He would later add Leah, Brady, Pailyn, and Theodore to the grandkid crew and somehow managed to make each one of them feel special, spoiled, and loved.

An avid outdoorsman, Mark was always fishing or hunting something. A deer hanging in the garage, a freezer filled with Blue Gill, or a bag brimming with morel mushrooms filled his heart with joy. He was never happier than when he was camping with Paulette in their trailer and tooling around on their boat.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Mick and Bobbie Burgess, and Virginia and Bud Ewers; sister-in-law Angela Henry; niece Natalie Lefere and nephew Justin Burgess.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Paulette; children Hannah Burgess, Halette (Aaron) Card, and Mark Burgess; grandchildren Olivia Oulch, Leah Rogers, Brady and Pailyn Burgess, and Theodore Card; daughter-in-law Courtney Burgess; siblings Michael (Michelle) Burgess, Cynthia (Steve) Watson, Mitchell Burgess and many nieces and nephews.

The Burgess family has a saying whenever they leave or end a phone call: "Love you, see you, bye."

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 11:30 AM at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church with Father Timothy MacDonald officiating.

The family will receive friends at Queen's Church on Friday from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp DeSales in Brooklyn, MI or to the Lingap Center.

Love you, see you, bye, Papa. Love you, see you, bye.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned For 131 Years