Obituaries
Thomas Jacob Burgin, Jr.
( August 3, 1935 - March 3, 2016 )
Mr. Thomas “Tommy” Jacob Burgin, Jr., 80, of North Oak Street in Lincolnton, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 2, 2016.
His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016, at Long Shoals Wesleyan Church with Rev. Charles Ingle and Rev. Jon Mann officiating. Burial will follow in Hollybrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:45 p.m. at the church.
Mr. Burgin was born August 3, 1935, in Lincoln County, to the late Thomas Jacob Burgin, Sr. and Mildred Michum Burgin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Laban Burgin. Mr. Burgin, a 1953 Lincolnton High School graduate, remained a lifelong City of Lincolnton resident. He worked early in his life as a produce manager with the A&P Store. In 1958 he helped organize the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Lincolnton with sixteen other charter members. Beginning in 1959, and 16 years prior to being appointed as Lincolnton’s 5th Chief of Police, he served as a patrol officer, first plain-clothes detective, Captain of Criminal Investigations and Traffic Safety. Burgin was the first LPD officer to receive advanced law enforcement training. He graduated from the State Bureau of Investigation’s Advanced Investigator’s Class and the National Intelligence Academy, specializing in electronic audio and video surveillance.
After retiring as chief in 1989, he continued as the reserve investigator, offering his own time and invaluable experience to the department. All total he policed 43 continuous years. A Lifetime Membership in both the N.C. Chief’s of Police and International Association Chiefs of Police Association was bestowed upon him. Later, he served as chair of the Lincolnton ABC Board and worked as a loss prevention agent for Belk’s. Burgin became licensed as a private investigator, establishing Amber Investigations and Consulting. He received an appointment by the state legislature to a six-year term on the NC Department of Justice Private Protective Service Board. His outreach to the community and its citizens was far more extensive than can be listed.
He is survived by his son, Terry J. Burgin, and wife Kimberly; one granddaughter (Pop-Pop’s Sweetie), Amber Faith Burgin; one sister, Joannah Harbinson of maiden; brothers, Rodney Burgin (Joyce) and David Burgin (Sissy), all of Lincolnton, and Bill Dameron (Doris) of Taylorsville; a number of nieces and nephews; and a longtime best friend, Mildred Beam Dail of Cherryville.
The family extends special thanks to his caregivers, Maranda Ikard, Betty Harper, Nancy Riley, Stacey McLain, Shirley Diamond, Kitti Wray, Clara Parker, and Kathy Earnhardt.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to either Hospice of Gaston County, 258 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054, or to Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
His funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016, at Long Shoals Wesleyan Church with Rev. Charles Ingle and Rev. Jon Mann officiating. Burial will follow in Hollybrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:45 p.m. at the church.
Mr. Burgin was born August 3, 1935, in Lincoln County, to the late Thomas Jacob Burgin, Sr. and Mildred Michum Burgin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Laban Burgin. Mr. Burgin, a 1953 Lincolnton High School graduate, remained a lifelong City of Lincolnton resident. He worked early in his life as a produce manager with the A&P Store. In 1958 he helped organize the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Lincolnton with sixteen other charter members. Beginning in 1959, and 16 years prior to being appointed as Lincolnton’s 5th Chief of Police, he served as a patrol officer, first plain-clothes detective, Captain of Criminal Investigations and Traffic Safety. Burgin was the first LPD officer to receive advanced law enforcement training. He graduated from the State Bureau of Investigation’s Advanced Investigator’s Class and the National Intelligence Academy, specializing in electronic audio and video surveillance.
After retiring as chief in 1989, he continued as the reserve investigator, offering his own time and invaluable experience to the department. All total he policed 43 continuous years. A Lifetime Membership in both the N.C. Chief’s of Police and International Association Chiefs of Police Association was bestowed upon him. Later, he served as chair of the Lincolnton ABC Board and worked as a loss prevention agent for Belk’s. Burgin became licensed as a private investigator, establishing Amber Investigations and Consulting. He received an appointment by the state legislature to a six-year term on the NC Department of Justice Private Protective Service Board. His outreach to the community and its citizens was far more extensive than can be listed.
He is survived by his son, Terry J. Burgin, and wife Kimberly; one granddaughter (Pop-Pop’s Sweetie), Amber Faith Burgin; one sister, Joannah Harbinson of maiden; brothers, Rodney Burgin (Joyce) and David Burgin (Sissy), all of Lincolnton, and Bill Dameron (Doris) of Taylorsville; a number of nieces and nephews; and a longtime best friend, Mildred Beam Dail of Cherryville.
The family extends special thanks to his caregivers, Maranda Ikard, Betty Harper, Nancy Riley, Stacey McLain, Shirley Diamond, Kitti Wray, Clara Parker, and Kathy Earnhardt.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to either Hospice of Gaston County, 258 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054, or to Hospice of Lincoln County, 900 Dontia Drive, Lincolnton, NC 28092.
Posted on 03 Mar 2016
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125 Dave Warlick Drive
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704/735-2521