John G. Burgwyn Jr.
Published 9:39 am Thursday, October 19, 2017
WHITAKERS – John Griffin Burgwyn, Jr., of Whitakers, NC, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2017.
John was born in Roanoke Rapids, NC on July 8, 1936. He attended schools in Jackson and Woodland, NC. He transferred and graduated from high school at Staunton Military Academy. He also attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC he was President of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, a member of Order of the Gorgon’s Head Society at UNC, and was Co-captain of the UNC Baseball team. After college he served his country in the U.S. Air Force.
John worked at Weyerhauser Corporation in Plymouth, NC, Tacoma, WA, and St. Louis, MO before moving to
Burgwyn
Roanoke Rapids, NC where he worked for Albermarle Paper Company as the Personnel Manager. While residing in Roanoke Rapids, John was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He had a passion for flying and worked as a flight instructor at Air Care in Rocky Mount and retired as the Senior Vice-President of Aviation at Guardian Care Corporation in Rocky Mount, NC.
He is survived by his loving wife Kay Burgwyn, and is fondly remembered by his sister, Jo Pratt and husband Dan; and brothers, Henry Burgwyn and wife Tracey, and Steve Burgwyn and wife JoJo. John has three adult children, Lisa Tew and husband Billy, Griff Burgwyn and Bailey Burgwyn; five grandchildren, Blair and Tyler Burgwyn, and William, Evelyn, and Elizabeth Tew; a step-daughter, Lisa Ponder and husband Kevin; a granddaughter, Ashley Allen and husband Norm; and a great-granddaughter, Phoebe Allen.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home in Rocky Mount, NC.
The family request in lieu of flowers; donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association as a tribute to John. www.alz.org. Click on the John Burgwyn, Jr. tribute.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.