John Griffin Burgwyn
July 8, 1936 ~ October 11, 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 Gorgons 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 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; brothers, Henry Burgwyn and wife Tracey; 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, William, Evelyn, and Elizabeth Tew. A step-daughter, Lisa Ponder and husband Kevin: a grand-daughter, 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 Alzheimers 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.
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Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Services
661 English Rd
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Sunday 10/22, 2:00 pm
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Kay, you have my deepest sympathy on the loss of John. It is hoped that your memories will be a comfort to you in the days to come. God Bless. Dolores Jones Faison
Lit a candle in memory of John Griffin Burgwyn
John was an amazing man and Pilot. When I first met him it was like we had been friends for ever. I had always wanted to pilot a plane and one trip on the jet he allowed me to sit up front with him. He instructed me on tilting and turning the plane such an awesome time. It was mostly to scare our passengers aboard due to they were all dear friends of Guardian Corporation. He was such a fun loving and compassionate man and someone I will always call my friend. Peace be with him as he journews to heaven and bless his family . I will cherish our memories! Sincerely, Gail Davis Donaldson
Lit a candle in memory of John Griffin Burgwyn
MOSES AVENT DRUMGOLD P.O. BOX 372 SKIPPERS,VA. 23879 WITH DEEP SORROW.
John was my check pilot on some aircraft types at the RMT Airport. His calm, friendly, and reassuring demeanor in and out of the cockpit was a steadying influence on me as a budding aviator. Some of my fondest memories of time spent at the long gone downtown airport were when I was in the presence of John Burgwyn. With his passing the world seems a bit less less mannerly. Allan Buss