Johnny Burch

“Son, go home,” his brother Willie would always say. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Johnny finally did, go home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While our hearts grieve his absence, we find comfort knowing he is at peace in his heavenly home. Johnny Burch, 85, of Douglas, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, July 22, 2026. He was born on December 19, 1940, in Pearson, Georgia, to the late Dennis Burch Sr. and the late Beadie Varndore Burch. Johnny faithfully served his country in the United States Air Force before returning home to build a life centered around faith, family, and hard work. He owned and operated Johnny’s Barber Shop with his brother Willie for many years, where generations of friends and neighbors not only came for a haircut but also for conversation, laughter, and friendship. He faithfully served as a deacon at Mora Baptist Church, where his quiet faith and servant’s heart were evident to all who knew him. Johnny found joy in working in his yard, decorating for Christmas, fishing, and spending time with those he loved most. His greatest blessing was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Burch Sr. and Beadie Varndore Burch; his first wife, Judy Ann Williams Burch; two sisters: Estelle B. Stubbs and Betsy B. Hutcheson; and two brothers: Hardy Burch and James Burch Johnny is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Lucille Giddens Burch of Willacoochee, Georgia; his daughters: Tammy Morris (Joey) of Pearson, Georgia, and Denise Luke (Richard) of Douglas, Georgia; four grandchildren: Drew Morris (Jade), Blake Morris (Magan), Jordan Luke (MaryBeth), and Brady Luke; one great-granddaughter, Collins Drew Morris; one sister, Loney Davis of Brunswick, Georgia; two brothers: Wilburn Burch (Glynda) of Green Cove Springs, Florida, and Willie Burch (Anna) of Willacoochee, Georgia; 4 special nieces and nephew: Stuart Burch (Jenna) of Richmond Hill, Georgia, Whitney Burch Speranza (Nick) of Willacoochee, Georgia, Vickie Hutcheson Lucas (Van) of Indianola, Iowa, and Tori Hutcheson Yelvington (Randy) of Ft. Myers, Florida; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. The family finds peace in the promise of Scripture: “Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23 NKJV) Johnny’s family will receive friends on Friday evening, July 24, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Ricketson Funeral Home chapel. His funeral will be held Saturday morning, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Mora Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Burch, Rev. Dennis Harper, and Bishop Byron Griffis officiating. Interment will follow in the Mora Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will include Stuart Burch, Jordan Luke, Ricky Wilkerson, Michael Taylor, Nick Speranza, and Dennis Burch. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy of faith, kindness, service, and unwavering love for his family will live on in all who knew him. Condolences, kind words and fond memories may be shared with Johnny’s family at www.ricketsonfuneralhome.com. Johnny’s arrangements have been entrusted to the kind and compassionate staff of Ricketson Funeral Home, Inc. of Douglas, Georgia.

Johnny Burch

December 19, 1940 - July 22, 2026