Gerald Virgle Burge Sr., age 76, a native of Putnam, died at his St. Stephens’ home July 14, 2012. Mr. Burge was a veteran of the United States Navy.

After working several years at Allied Paper (currently Boise), he was then employed at ARP in Monroeville, where he retired. He was an instrument technician. Coworkers describe him as one of the smartest men in the area when it came to figuring out how certain machinery was put together and how it operated.

Survivors include two sons, Gerald (Dawn) Burge Jr. of Leroy and Jonathan (Debbie) Burge of St. Stephens; three daughters, Tanya (Mitchell) Shoultz of Jackson, Fonda (James) Armour and Kendal (Thomas) Cunningham, both of St. Stephens; sisters, Fae (Randy) Scheeter of Orange Beach and Betty (Cleve) Walker of Laurel, Miss.; 10 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Ruby Thrash Burge and Acy Burge.

A graveside service was July 14 at the Putnam Cemetery in Putnam with Bro. Glenn Sullivan and Bro. Tom Lindsey officiating and St. Stephens Funeral Home directing.

Pallbearers were Mr. Burge’s family members. Honorary pallbearers included John Winters, George Carpenter and Ronnie Maye.