Clayton Henry Burgess, Jr., age 73, of Harrellsville, North Carolina, entered eternal rest on April 29, 2026.

Born near Winton, North Carolina, Clayton spent his early years on the Jimmy Flowers farm near Cofield. He was a graduate of Ahoskie High School and later attended Roanoke-Chowan Technical Institute (RCTI). His education was interrupted by military service, and he proudly served three years in the United States Navy, including two years stationed in Spain.

Following his honorable discharge, Clayton completed his associate degree at RCTI and earned a Bachelor of Technology in Engineering Technology from Appalachian State University in Boone.

Clayton dedicated many years of service to the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, serving at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. He later transferred to Blowing Rock, where he continued working in maintenance at Appalachian State University until his retirement in 2019.

In 2023, Clayton returned to his hometown of Harrellsville, moving into the historic 1893 Ada Green House, where he and his mother had once lived. He was grateful to be home again, though mindful of the many friends and classmates who had gone before him.

Raised in a musical family, Clayton was a gifted songwriter. He held a five-year recording contract with Country International Records in Nashville. He and his brother, Billy Wayne, had eight original songs written by Clayton released nationwide and abroad, an experience he treasured deeply.

Clayton will be remembered for his kind and generous spirit, his willingness to help others, the bounty of his garden, and the joy of his music.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton Henry Burgess and Stella Hill Wall Burgess; his sisters, Sybil Dean Burgess and Delia Losey; and his brother, James Henry Burgess.

He is survived by his sisters, Stella Boone of Cary, NC; Dorothy Beshara of Newton, NC; Kim York (Kenneth) of Shallotte, NC; and his brother, Billy Wayne Burgess (Lynn) of Sedley, VA.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home in Gatesville, NC with Pastor Merritt Pawley officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC. The family will greet friends in the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday prior to the service in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gentiva Hospice Foundation.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the Burgess family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com