Garland Junior Burge

The HVAC system in Heaven is now running more smoothly since Garland Junior Burge, 63, of Midland, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024, surrounded by his family after a brave battle with brain cancer. Visitation will be held from 12:00-7:00, Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Serenity Memorial Gardens. A reception for friends and family will follow. Everyone is welcome to come celebrate this life well-loved.

Garland was born on April 2, 1961, in Midland, Texas, to Ann and Garland Burge. Garland was the second youngest of nine children.  He lived his entire life in Midland pouring into his family and community.  He graduated from Midland High School in 1980.  Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Terry Diaz.  Garland and Terry were married January 14, 1984. The Burges built their life with their two children, Nicole and Lucas.

Garland prided himself in his work.  He was a building maintence engineer in downtown Midland for over 30 years. His hands were never idle. He had a keen eye for detail. His dedication to being the behind-the-scenes mastermind on making sure things ran smoothly, is the tone he set for every aspect of his life.   The lives he touched and the lifelong friends he made through work are a testimony to the gentle yet wise soul that Garland Burge was.

Garland ‘s pleasures in life were the small things: playing sports growing up; having a deep love and appreciation of sports; baseball, softball, basketball, biking, football, running and fishing; going to DQ for ice cream; spending time at Ralph’s Place in Proctor; giving his family daily weather updates; keeping up with his seasonal firewood sales; cheering for high school sports; supporting his nieces and nephews from the stands; sitting out front and enjoying a cup of coffee; accompanying Myles on his walks around the block; his love of celebrating others; reading his Bible and creating meaningful Bible studies;  being grounded in his faith and showing those close to him his love and trust that “God’s got it!”

Garland is preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Becky Neatherlin and Ernie Burge, and his beloved dog, Cash.

Garland is survived by his wife Terry of more than 40 years; his son, Lucas and his daughter Nicole and her husband Jeremy Esparza and their son Myles, all of Midland; his siblings Jean Anne Sanders, Judy Dover, Virgil (Linda) Burge, Rosemary Henley, Donna Morgan, and Jimmy (Liz) Burge,; his brothers and sisters in law Tina Moseley, Isabel (Freddie) Rey, Frances (Joe) Gloria, Martin (Paula) Diaz, Ramona (Joe) Perales, Tony Diaz, Elva (Larry) Siqueiros, Anna (Joey) Aguirre, Juanita Diaz, David (Melissa) Diaz, Jesse (Sandra) Diaz; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

To say we are going to miss Garland’s physical presence and wisdom is an understatement. He loved us big! He was such a loving husband, dad, grandpa, son, brother, uncle, nephew and loyal friend. Although, it may not have been a “perfect game”, we find comfort in knowing that Garland is “rounding third-headed Home!” The last two years have been some of the most difficult a man could endure. However, his resilience to fight hard and improve allowed him to spend more time with the ones he loved the most, his family.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Hospice of Midland, MD Anderson, Texas Oncology Staff especially his physician, Dr. Meda as well as his special nurse, Christi Ramos, and the endless support from all family and friends who reached out during this difficult time.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Burge, Tony Diaz, Jesse Diaz, David Diaz, Jose Aguirre, Terry Wayne St. John, Robert Leon, and Roy Ybarra.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Garland Junior Burge, please visit our Tribute Store.