Gary W. Burgess, age 60 of Tower died, very unexpectedly, Thursday, May 5, 2016 in his home. He was born May 27, 1955 in Virginia, the son of Linden and Lorraine (Semon) Burgess; was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School, Ely Junior College, and University of Minnesota – Duluth. He married Robin Sunsdahl on August 6, 1982 in Tower and was a lifelong Tower resident. Gary was employed by Burgess Chevrolet, Burgess Marine, was a co-owner and agent with the Tower-Soudan Insurance Agency, and had retired from the Breitung Police Department. He was an active Tower community member serving as an Alderman, Mayor, on the board of the Gunderson Trust, and on the board of the State Bank of Tower. Gary was a WWII historian and loved Chevys. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower, attended the Praise Fellowship in Ely, chairman of the board of the Liar's Coffee Club, and a member of the monthly dinner club. Gary enjoyed rebuilding, repainting and restoring Chevrolets and models; and drove anything fast, including snowmobiles. He had an eye for detail, and would work on projects until they were perfect. His huge smile, great laugh, and concern for others will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Gary is survived by his wife of 33 years: Robin; sons: Adam (Ashley Moravitz) Burgess and her daughter: Mariah, and Daniel Burgess of Soudan; siblings: Nancy (Pete) Yapel of Tower, Barb (Bill) Durbin of Duluth & Lake Vermilion, and Judy (Leonard) Tomsich of New Baltimore, MI; nieces and nephews: Deanna (Frank) Ziemba, Mark (Nicole) Yapel, Jess (Darren) Froehle, Reid (Autumn) Durbin, Mike (Raequel) Tomsich, David (Cathy) Tomsich, Jeannie (Daron) Little, Keith Torma, Matthew Hintz, and Maddeson Hintz; Uncles and Aunts: Bob (Carol) Burgess of Tower, Jack (Carol) Burgess of Tower, Carol Burgess of Tower, Jeannie Burgess of Melrose, WI., Joanne Lindberg of Cut Bank, MT; in-laws: Penny and Orvis Sunsdahl of Soudan, canine pal: Roxy; extended family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; uncles: Bud Burgess, Bill Burgess, and Del Burgess; aunt: Ruth Brown, and cousin: Richard Burgess.

Visitation will begin Monday, May 16, 2016 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Visitation will continue Tuesday, May 17, 201 from 12 Noon until the 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service at Vermilion Funeral Home. George Wick will officiate. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Lakeview Cemetery in Tower.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family.

Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Visitation 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ,Monday, May 16, 2016
Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790
Visitation 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m. ,Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790
Memorial Service 1:00 p.m. ,Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Bauman Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790
Private Inurnment
Lakeview Cemetery
100 Cedar Street Tower, MN 55790