Rory Burgess

All who knew Rory Burgess will certainly agree that he was a special soul, overflowing with personality and artistic spirit. He chased adventure and was constantly looking to experience all that life had to offer. There was nothing that brought Rory greater joy than spending time with his loved ones, no matter how simple or brief the moments. Once he put his mind to something, there was no holding him back, and he was always brave enough to be authentically and genuinely Rory. Though life will never be the same without Rory here, he leaves behind a wonderful collection of memories that his family and friends will keep near and dear to their hearts.

The late 1980s were certainly exciting years to be alive in the United States of America. The Cold War was beginning to wind down overseas. Here at home, artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson topped the charts, taking the world of music by storm. Classic sitcoms including Full House and The Golden Girls could be found playing on the TV in homes all across the country. It was during this influential time that Patrick Michael Burgess and Theresa Maurine Fye, both of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were eagerly expecting the arrival of their child. It was on October 22 of 1987 that Rory James made his entrance into the world.

Growing up, Rory was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. He was very close with his three brothers, Russel, Nicholas, and Ronald, and the boys were thick as thieves. Rory was raised in the family home at 334 Dean St. on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids. He ran wild in the neighborhood with his brothers and other friends. The kids would often play in the nearby funeral home parking lot, at least until they were kicked out. Rory was known to be a daredevil and landed himself in the hospital many times. When looking back on his formative years, he had fond memories of rustic camping on property owned by relatives in Northern Michigan with his family.

Throughout his childhood, Rory attended local schools. He started off at Palmer Elementary School, then went on to Riverside Middle School and eventually attended Creston High School. Rory wasn’t the best student and tended to enjoy socializing and chasing after girls more than the actual schoolwork. He did, however, love his art classes. Rory was very active and enjoyed skateboarding and playing all kinds of sports.

Over the years, Rory’s family grew to include his four beloved children. He first became a father to Kayll in 2001, followed by Arabelle in 2009 and Ruca in 2015. Rory’s youngest, Ryder, was born in 2022. Rory adored his kids above all else, and they were his pride and joy. He exemplified what it meant to live an honest life, and he was always ready with a listening ear.

Never one to sit still for long, Rory kept very busy in his free time. He worked as a professional cook for a time, and he was employed at a number of restaurants throughout his culinary career. Rory was an especially great cook when it came to ethnic food. He was not traditionally religious, but he was a student of philosophy and ancient religions. Rory was deeply spiritual, and he found himself searching for the secret to inner peace and balance.

Though he didn’t excel in traditional education, Rory was a lifelong learner and thrived on picking up new skills and interests. He tried everything from tattooing to fire-spitting. Rory also had a passion for music from all genres, including metal, rap, hip hop, and electronic. He played drums as well and loved both listening to music and creating it through his music compositions. Rory enjoyed welding, painting, and poetry. His artistic talent was undeniable, and he was a free spirit who always gave others the benefit of the doubt.

As family and friends will certainly agree, Rory Burgess truly lived each and every day to the fullest. He was a shining example of kindness and compassion, and he firmly believed that everyone deserved to be treated with love. Rory was happiest when expressing himself through his art. His family was his greatest treasure, and through all the ups and downs that came his way, he never lost sight of what mattered most. Already so greatly missed, Rory will be forever loved and cherished.