John Hart Burgess

John Hart Burgess

Cedar Rapids

John Hart Burgess, 71, died on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, at West Ridge Care Center following a long, courageous battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. Please visit www.teahenfuneralhome.com for further details about the service and to leave condolences.

Survivors include his daughter, Brenna Ebel, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and his son, Joshua (Megan) Pedelty, China Spring, Texas; his sisters, Cathy (Peter) Burgess, Scotland, Molly (Dennis) Smith, Des Moines, Iowa, and Sarah Burgess, Omaha, Neb.; his granddaughters, Morgan (Dale) Deaton, Solon, Iowa, Reilly Kuennen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Lily Pedelty, Columbia, Mo., Mady and Caty Pedelty, China Spring, Texas; and his great-grandchildren, Dawson, Paxton, and Maeson Deaton.

John was born in Spencer, Iowa, to Bernie Hart Burgess and William Burgess. John graduated from Kuemper High School in Carroll, Iowa, in 1970. He attended college at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa and remained a lifelong fan of both schools. He worked at General Mills for 28 years, retiring after many years in management in 2011.

John was an amazing guitar player and singer. Following his retirement, he enjoyed playing in his band, exercising at the MAC, watching movies from any era, and getting together with other General Mills employees, retired and active. He also continued to enjoy Hawkeye and Cyclone sporting events, from football to basketball to volleyball, and was a regular at Kernels baseball games.

John was best known for his work in the community supporting the Especially for You Race, where he was a generous donor. His love for others was one of the many reasons it was easy to love John. Family was his number one priority and was evident in every conversation he had. To know John, was to love him.