Ricky Lynn Burgess

Ricky Lynn Burgess, 60, of Itasca passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Huguley Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Hill County Exhibits Building in Hillsboro. Visitation will be 5:00-9:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Ricky was born May 12, 1959, in Dallas, Texas, to William Olen and Loy Florence (Gaskill) Burgess. He attended DeSoto High School. Ricky graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Ricky married his wife, Paula Kay Raulston, August 8, 1981. He began his teaching career in July of 1981 at Hillsboro High School, and taught there for two years. In July 1983, he was hired at Covington ISD and took an empty building and turned it into one of the most successful FFA/ AG science chapters in the state of Texas.

Ricky served on the Hill County Go-Texan Committee helping raise money for scholarships for Hill County graduating students. He also served as Area 8 coordinator and served on the Texas State Lone Star awards review team.

Preceding him in death were his parents, and brother Gary Burgess.

He is survived by his wife, Paula; three sons, Bret and wife, Amanda, Josh Brush and wife, Rebecca, and Scott and wife, Alex; four grandchildren, Olivia, Jaxson, Katelyn, and Ryder; two sisters, Debra Kuehn and Mellissa Harris and husband, Donald; mother-in-law, Anna Raulston; brother-in-law, Levon Raulston and wife, Karen; sister-in-law, Ruth Miller and husband, David; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

His work ethic, integrity, and his benevolent heart and love for service and education were well known to all he met.

Memorials may be made to Covington ISD c/o Ricky Burgess Memorial Fund, 501 N. Main St., Covington, TX 76636.