John Burgess, Heroic Father, Died Protecting His Children During Texas Hill Country Flooding: A Tragic Loss on July 4th Weekend
John Burgess of Liberty, Texas, has been remembered as a heroic father who tragically lost his life while trying to protect his children during the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country. On July 4, 2025, John, his wife Julia Anderson Burgess, and their two young sons were staying at the Blue Oak RV Park in Ingram, Kerr County. The family had traveled to the area for the holiday weekend and to pick up their eldest daughter from a nearby summer camp. While she remains safe, the devastating floodwaters caught the family off guard, turning a joyful occasion into an unimaginable tragedy. In a desperate act of love and bravery, John tried to shield his children from the rising waters, ultimately losing his life in the effort.
The floodwaters rose with alarming speed, nearly 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overwhelming the Guadalupe River after intense rainfall. Witnesses described the horrifying scene as RVs and cabins were torn from their foundations, with families being swept downstream by the swift current. According to Lorena Guillen, the owner of the Blue Oak RV Park, John Burgess was seen holding onto a tree, clinging tightly to his children in a final attempt to keep them safe. Guillen recalled, “My husband was in the water trying to help, asking, ‘Please throw me your baby!’ But John just got swept away.” Tragically, John’s efforts were not enough to withstand the force of the floodwaters, and he was carried away, never to be seen again. His wife, Julia, was also later recovered, and their two sons remain missing as search efforts continue.
The flooding that claimed the Burgess family’s lives has now become one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history, with at least 104 reported deaths across the state, including 28 children, many of whom were swept away in the same region. The Blue Oak RV Park, where the Burgess family had been staying, was completely destroyed in the flood, with every single RV, vehicle, and structure washed away. The community of Liberty, Texas, as well as the wider Kerr County area, has been left devastated by the loss. “We’ve all been praying,” said Winnie Taylor, a local neighbor. “It’s just heartbreaking. I can’t believe something so tragic happened on a holiday meant for joy.”
John Burgess is remembered by family, friends, and neighbors as a kind, hardworking, and fiercely devoted father. “He died doing what any parent would—protecting his children with every ounce of strength he had,” said a family friend. In response to the flood’s devastation, Lorena Guillen has created a GoFundMe campaign to help rebuild the Blue Oak RV Park, with the fundraiser surpassing $1,200 as of July 8. As the community mourns, plans for John and Julia Burgess’s funeral services are underway, and community vigils are being held in their honor. Texas will continue to grieve this immense loss, but John Burgess’s story remains a poignant reminder of the bravery, love, and sacrifice that shine brightest during life’s darkest moments.