Carlton Roosevelt Burge, 76, of Lutz, Florida was born in Trenton, NC on May 3, 1931 to the late Rev. William H. and Martha Kornegay Burge, Sr., and departed this life on July 11, 2007 at St. Anthony?s Hospital after battling pancreatic cancer. ?Stumpy? as he was affectionately known, was reared and educated in the Onslow County Public Schools and attended A&T State University. While enrolled at A&T, he was drafted into the US Army, but later obtained both his Associates and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Columbia College. He served 22 years in the Army in both Korea and Vietnam, where he participated in multiple front line missions. Under his leadership, the 1st Platoon was recognized as one of the best platoons in the Battle Group. He received numerous service awards and medals including the Meritorious Service Medal, The Bronze Star Medal, Best Drill Sergeant of the Year, The Commander?s Trophy, Goldstar Recruiter Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Following his service to our country, he was employed by Amtrak at Philadelphia Station for 20 years, again being recognized for outstanding service performances and awarded numerous achievement citations. On October 26, 1957 he married his sweetheart and soul mate, Helga M.M. Hedrich. Together they have one daughter, Dr. Allena H. Burge. Carlton was an extremely devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was loved and admired by everyone he met. He loved nature, poetry, and music, especially Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Mozart. This extraordinary man leaves his wife of 50 years, Helga, of Lutz; his daughter Dr. Allena H. Burge, MD, his grandsons: Joost C. Bottenbley, and Carlton W. Bottenbley, his brother, Rev. William H. Burge, Jr., his sister, Martha C. Dillahunt, two brother-in-laws, Amos Dillahunt, and Jurgen Schwartz, five sister-in-laws: Mary Burge, Margrett Burge. Ingrid Hapke and Regina Schwartz, and Elvira Godfrey and a host of relatives and friends. Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls: I present to some and introduce to others one of God?s greatest creation, His brand new star, Carlton Roosevelt Burge. Services for Carlton will be held on Saturday, July 21 at Trinity Memorial Chapel, 12909 Memorial Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34655 with visitation at 10am, service at 11am, and full military honors to follow. Services entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care, Clearwater.
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I was working in support of SFC Burge’s services. I couldn’t help being impressed with his life. A combat soldier, a Christian, husband of 50 years, father and grandfather. We need more men like him.
I had the pleasure of working with SFC Burge on recruiting duty.He was an outstanding gentleman. My family and I offer our condolences to his family. To have the opportunity to work with Mr. Burge was a blessing and I shall be forever grateful for that privilege, and he will be in my memory forever. Salute.
The Gulick family.
Carlton will be missed, was always the best to be with and could always make you smile.
John
It was my honor to conduct your service saturday. As a retired USAF I feel that I still serve our nation when I have the oportunity to serve great hero’s like him. Chief Platts
As your great niece, I just wanted to pay my respects and sign the guestbook. Love always, Kelley
It was such an honor to assist in the arrangements for Carlton. I was impressed with the amount of care and consideration your family gave to these details, a microcosm of the love you had for this man throughout his life. Thank you , again, for allowing me to be a small part of your family for thoise prescious days together.
With regards, Allen
Our sincerest condolences.