Ronald "Ron" Edward Burgess
Ronald Edward "Ron" Burgess, 75, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
He was born on March 15, 1950 and was a son of the late Roscoe E. and Josephine (Scott) Burgess.
Ron graduated from Turner Ashby High School, where he led the 1968 team to the State Championship. He attended Brandywine Junior College, and graduated form Wilmington College.
Ron Burgess served 35 years at the Stanton Campus of Delaware Technical Community College taking on the roles of athletic director, coach, and academic counselor until his retirement in 2012. He served as the head coach of Delaware Tech's men's basketball team from 1977-1980 and from 1985-2010, and he was the men's basketball head coach at Brandywine College from 1981-1985.
At Delaware Tech, Burgess led the Spirit to 1 NJCAA national tournament appearance, and under his leadership, the Spirit advanced to the Region 19 semifinals 16 times while winning the championship game 2 times.
Burgess has been named NJCAA Region 19 Coach of the Year 2 times. In 2009, he was named District 9 Coach of the Year, and he was also awarded the NJCAA Division II Coach award in 2009.
In the 2009-2010 season, Burgess recorded his 500th win as a head coach in Region 19, and he holds an overall coaching record of 503-275 with a .647 winning percentage. He takes pride in having coached several All-Region Players of the Year throughout his career, and he stays in touch with many of his former student-athletes.
Outside of coaching, Burgess has been involved the Amateur Athlete Union, the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, CYO, NATYCAA, NACOA, and is a member of the Black Coaches Association, and has served on the Pro-Am Basketball League Advisory Board.
He was active in the Living the Dream Corvette Club.
Ron is survived by his wife Joan Burgess, children, Gregg Strother, Adam Burgess, and Evan Burgess; brothers, Roscoe (Melanie) Burgess, Jr., and Donald Burgess, Sr.; grandchildren, Latasha Harris, and Rumeall Strother; and great grandchildren, Hayden Paulette, and Mekhi Braxton; uncles, Woodrow Johnson, Alphonso Johnson and Harold Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service celebrating Ron's life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Turner Ashby High School with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Johnson Funeral & Cremation Service, PO Box 41, Bridgewater, VA 22812, to help with funeral expenses.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater.
