Who was Pat Green’s brother John Burgess? Country singer’s sibling was reportedly last seen clinging to children before being killed in Texas flood

Deadly floods that swept across the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend have left more than 100 people dead and dozens missing. One of the people dead was John Burgess, brother of Texas country music star Pat Green.

His wife, Julia, and their two young sons are supposedly still missing due to the fast-rising waters of the Guadalupe River right outside of Blue Oak RV Park, in Kerr County, where they were camping (KWTX).

There is one story after another like this.

John Burgess, who lived in Liberty, Texas, was clinging to a tree while holding “his babies” during the flood, and was too scared to toss the kids to residents because he did not think he had the strength to toss them far enough; and… pic.twitter.com/m8cxSeFlGV

— Revere’s Midnight Ride (@PatriotLantern) July 9, 2025

Burgess was last seen holding onto a tree and his two sons as the flood waters rose, according to local reports. Lorena Guillen, who owns the RV park, recounted the traumatic scene. The Burgess family had been in Hill Country to celebrate the holiday and to pick up their eldest daughter from a nearby summer camp, which was not impacted by the flooding.

"My husband was in the water trying to ask them, ‘Please throw me your baby!’ The man was holding tight to his babies, and he just got swept away," Guillen told the New York Post.

Unfortunately, the bodies of both John and Julia have since been found, but their sons, Jack and James’ bodies have still not been found, and the search continues. Their daughter had not been injured as she had been at the camp when the floodwaters hit.

More about the incident as people mourn the death of John Burgess and his family

According to local reports, the floods came with startling intensity, and the Guadalupe River rose an astounding 26 feet in 45 minutes. Officials said the powerful flood obliterated homes, vehicles, and campsites, leaving first responders scrambling and residents fighting for their lives.

"We heard people screaming throughout the night. The cabins from the RV park next door came floating, and they were getting smashed against the trees." Lorena Guillen, who owns the RV park added.

John Burgess, a China Spring High School graduate in the Waco area, had moved with his family to Liberty, Texas. Julia was a popular teacher at Liberty Elementary School, where she taught religion and diversity.

According to KHOU 11, as a form of commemoration, neighbors supposedly placed flowers and stuffed animals in front of the Burgess home as word of the tragedy began to spread. Julia's cousin, Michael Schwab on the other hand, expressed his concern for the two missing children and hoped that they are alive.

"We have been so blessed with all of the love, support, and prayers we’ve received over the past few days... Please continue to keep our families and all of the families affected throughout Texas in your prayers." Schwab wrote on X.

Pat Green, one of the prominent Texas country musicians, also posted a touching message on social media after the news broke of his brother's death.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Pat Green (@patgreenmusic)

According to a recent report, the death count has crossed 100 and is somewhere within the range of 110 to 120. Rescue and search personnel are working around the clock in difficult terrain to find those who are missing.