Larry Woodrow Burgess, Jr.

Mr. Larry "SHORtY" Woodrow Burgess, Jr., age 63, husband of Michelle "Mickey"  Allman Burgess, of 207 3rd St. Union, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Mr. Burgess was born June 20, 1961, in Union, a son of the late Larry W. Burgess, Sr and Lillian Beheler Shrader. He was a graduate of Union High School. Mr. Burgess served in the US Army, where he was trained as a medic. He later finished nursing training at York Tech after returning from active duty in the Middle East. One of his assignments was at King Khalid Military City in Saudi Arabia where he was a member of the medic attachment. After his active duty, Mr. Burgess continued to serve his country as a member of the Army National Guard. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir. Larry was also a former Scout Master of Troop 46 in Jonesville and a former Mason of the Prudence Lodge. He loved his children and the joys of his life were his grandchildren. Mr. Burgess' hobbies were fishing (his favorite), cake decorating and wrestling.

In addition to his wife, Michelle (Mickey), Mr. Burgess is survived by his sons, Heath Burgess of Greenville, SC, Dustin Rakestraw and his wife, Britany of Buffalo, SC, and a daughter, Jennifer "Turtle" Rakestraw of Union, SC.  He is also survived by grandchildren Remi Cleary, Shyann Rakestraw, Kaelyn Gilkison, Marissa Rakestraw, Dustin Rakestraw, Jr., Ava Rakestraw, Everleigh Rakestraw, and Carolina Lamberth; sisters, Jennifer Hines (Chris) of Boiling Springs, SC, and Sherri "Sissy" Johnson (Paul Watts) of Lockhart, SC. Mr. Burgess also leaves behind a "Special Brother", Tony Trantham and his wife, Cindy. He leaves behind his beloved service dog, Lola. Mr. Burgess was predeceased by a sister, Betty Jean Belue, his stepdad, Frank Shrader and his stepmother Jean Bledsoe Burgess.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Fairview Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Jeff Dean. The service will include Military and Nursing Honors and a Last Call. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM prior to the memorial services.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to Fairview Baptist Church, 763 Neal Shoals Road, Union, SC, 29379.

The family will be at the home of Dustin and Britany Rakestraw, 3375 Buffalo – West Springs Hwy, Buffalo, SC.