Kent Burgess

Obituary of Kent Burgess

BURGESS, Kent, of Antioch passed away September 18, 2012 at the age of 85. Mr. Burgess was born January 17, 1927 in Crossville, TN. He was a member of the Una Church of Christ. He earned his BS degree at Harding College in Searcy, AR and his MS degree at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. He began his career of animal training at Animal Behavior Enterprises, Hot Springs, AR. Mr. Burgess was the former Director of Training at Sea World, San Diego, the first trainer of Shamu the killer whale, the first trainer of Bubbles the pilot whale at Sea World, San Diego, and the former Director of Training at Opryland USA. He also served his country in the US Army in the War Crime Investigation Division. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan. Funeral services for Mr. Burgess will be held Saturday, September 22nd at 1 pm at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet with Bro. Todd Elliott officiating. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens with Mac McClurg, Gregg McClurg, Phil Burgess, Christopher Burgess, Danny Burgess and Matthew Burgess serving as pallbearers. Visitation with the family will be Friday, September 21st from 4-8 pm and Saturday, September 22nd from 11 am until time of services. Mr. Burgess was preceded in death by parents, Fancy & Recie Burgess and numerous siblings. He is survived by wife of 62 years, Billie Burgess; daughter, Therese (Mac) McClurg; sons, Phil (Julie) Burgess and Pat (Jill) Burgess; grandchildren, Gregg (Elicia) McClurg, Sheila (Greg) Hays, Michelle Burgess, Joanna (Tom) Wright, Danny (Cynthia) Burgess, Christopher Burgess and Matthew Burgess; and great-grandchildren, Ian Hays and Veda Burgess. Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2250 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com