James Donald Burgess "PeeWee/Donnie" passed away at Thomas Memorial Hospital on January 10, 2016, from a heart attack. He was 64 years old and was born October 27, 1951 in Buffalo.

He had been a resident of Golden Living Nursing Home for almost two years preceding his death and was a lifelong resident of Dunbar. He attended Dunbar High School, and served in the military for seven years in the National Guard. He was a carpenter his entire life and liked nothing better than having a chuck of wood in his hands and making something wonderful from it. Donald was a wonderful person and will be sadly missed and remembered by many.

He was preceded in death by his father, Howard "Duck" Donald Burgess, d. 1953; his mother, Velva "Sis/Velve" Luvinia Harris Burgess Martin, d. 2005; his stepfather, Amos "Dobb" Darwin Martin, Sr., d. 1992; his half-brother, Amos Darwin Martin, Jr., d. 2012; all grandparents; several aunts and uncles; some cousins; and a grand-nephew.

James Donald is survived by his sister, "Bessie" Anne Burgess Weaver, and fiancé, Jeff Vaught, of Broadway, Virginia; half-sister, Velva Julia "Judy" Martin Bennett and husband, Dennis, of Poca; half-brother, Willis Stephen "Bill/Billy" Martin and wife, Helen, of West Dunbar; seven nieces; six nephews; and a host of grand nieces and nephews and other relatives. In addition, Donald is also survived by his companion of twenty-four years, Colene Marie McDaniel, also of Dunbar.

The family will receive visitors from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar, followed by a graveside service at 3p.m. at Cross Creek Church Cemetery in Buffalo, with Pastor Larry A. Mobley officiating, where his ashes will be interred at Donald's father's grave site. Donald has always said he wanted to be as close to his father as possible.