Flood claims life of former Lakewood Elementary teacher

By David Stone

The Belton Journal

Country music star and Waco native Pat Green shared on social media this week that he and his family have suffered “a heartbreaking and deeply personal loss” for the Hill Country floods over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Green said he lost his brother, sisterin-law and two nephews in the floods.

His sister-in-law, Julia Anderson Burgess, was a former teacher at Lakeway Elementary School in Belton.

Green said that he and his family are “grieving alongside countless Texans whose lives have been upended by this tragedy.”

“Over the weekend, during the devastating flooding that hit Central Texas, my family — like so many others — suffered a heartbreaking and deeply personal loss,” Green wrote in an Instagram post July 8.

The floods, spurred by a rapid rise in water levels in Central Texas’ Guadalupe River, represent the worst disaster of this kind in years. On Wednesday, June 9, the death count rose to 109.

Green’s wife, Kori, also spoke of the tragedy on social media.

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of love and concern, Kori wrote in another Instagram post. “Pat’s little brother John, his wife, Julia, and two of their children were swept away in the Kerrville flood. We are heartbroken.”

The flooding came in the early morning hours of July 4, with rainfall causing the river to surge over 26 feet in less than an hour, according to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

As first responders and volunteers continued to scour the region, rescuing people clinging to trees using helicopters, the death toll has steadily risen.

“Right now, we kindly ask for privacy and space as we mourn, support each other and begin to process what comes next for our family,” Pat Green wrote. “Thank you for your love, prayers and compassion.”

Randy Pittenger, president of the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, posted about the loss on social media.

“We are saddened by the heartbreaking news of the unimaginable and tragic loss of Julia Anderson Burgess and John Burgess. Julia was a valued teacher on LaGay’s 5th grade team at Lakewood Elementary and was a treasured friend and colleague. They were an important part of our Belton community before their move to Liberty. May we honor their memory by remembering the impact they had on so many of us. Our prayers continue for their precious children, family, and friends.”