Obituary

Burge Gabie "Gabe" Newman Burge, 83, longtime resident of Plainview, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, in Lubbock. Family visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010, at Lemons Funeral Home in Plainview. Celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at Lemons Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home. Gabe was born Oct. 30, 1927, in Malvern, Ark., to Willie Alvis Burge and Ethel Newman Burge. He grew up in Arkansas and Muleshoe, but quit school early to help take care of his family. Gabe served his country during World War II in the United States Army and was in Japan during the occupation. Gabe and Marie Rainer were married May 22, 1953, in Clovis, N.M. After being discharged, he started his own contracting business. He became a true craftsman, specializing in floor covering and countertops. Even with limited education, Gabe could tell the square footage of a room just by looking. Gabe was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 1963 and was a 47-year member of the Masonic Lodge. His sons and grandsons have proudly followed him in that service. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After his service in the war, he was not a fan of rice of any kind. Gabe was very active in all aspects of life and never really retired. He was an avid Harley-Davidson rider and was often referred to as "the mayor of Seth Ward." He was known as a man who not only lived once, but he once lived. Gabe was the type of person who never met a stranger. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Gabe was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randy Paul Burge; and numerous brothers and sisters. Gabe is survived by his wife of more than 57 years, Marie, of Plainview; sons, Dale Burge and his wife, Donna, of Clyde, Texas, Tim Burge and his wife, Stacey, of Amarillo; daughter, Kayla Edwards, of Plainview; sisters, Freddie Lee Patterson, Hazel Shoemaker, Jewel Carter and Alma Smith; grandchildren, Gabe Burge and his wife, Heather, Bradley Burge and his wife, Rachel, Breanna Marler and her husband, Jeff, Travis Burge and Rowdee Edwards; and eight great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to your favorite charity, the local Masonic Lodge or to the Shriners International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607-1460. Online condolences may be made online at www.lemonsfunerals.com