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Burge Carmon Smith
Burge Carmon Smith
Burge Carmon Smith, 90, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was born in Adrian, Michigan on July 8, 1934, to parents Elmer Burge Smith and Erna (nee: Schmidt) Smith.
His beloved sister Carol (nee: Smith) Roback preceded him in death on August 15, 2021. Carol and husband Roger Roback gave Burge three nephews: Dean, Dale and Eric.
Burge was baptized on September 2, 1934, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Adrian where he attended their school through 8th grade and was confirmed at St. John’s on March 21, 1948. He graduated from Adrian High School on June 5, 1952.
In June 1958, he graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois (now Concordia University Chicago) with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Burge served the Lord for 38 years teaching and coaching for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Texas, Florida, Michigan and Utah in all grades.
Burge married Beverly Jane Secor, a Lutheran teacher, on July 1, 1961, at Hope Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were blessed with three children: Crystal Joy, Stephen Burge and Clinton Ralph.
Burge was thrilled to have seven grandchildren. Born to Crystal and husband Donald Boon: Charlotte, Davielle, Christian, Grace, and Elizabeth. Born to Stephen and Anne (nee: Frahm): Sydney and Benjamin.
Granddaughter Charlotte and husband Zachary McIntosh gave him three great grandchildren - Zane, Luna, and Zoey.
Burge graduated with a Master of Arts from Florida Atlantic University on December 10, 2004, at age 70, where he had been working (not teaching) for eight years.
He and Bev moved to Georgetown in 2004, where they lived together for 20 years.
Burge wrote two books in retirement during the years he was a substitute teacher for Georgetown ISD. The 1945 Detroit Tigers Nine Old Men and One Young Left Arm Win it All, published in 2010 and The World of Edwin Smith: The Long Bearded Man, published in 2018.
Burge thanked the Lord for his love and guidance in his long life on earth and loved the pastors and congregation of Faith Lutheran.
A memorial service for Burge will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Faith Lutheran Church, Georgetown, Texas.