Burt Francis Jr.

Burt Raymond Francis, Jr passed away on October 23rd, 2025 at the age of 82 after having suffered a recurrent stroke. He was born on October 12th, 1943 in Madison, TN to the devoted parents Burt R. Francis, Sr and Minnie Elizabeth Francis. Burt spent an idyllic, bucolic childhood on his parents’ farm in Kingston Springs, TN. Education was very important to his parents, Burt Sr, an attorney in Nashville and Minnie Elizabeth, a renowned science teacher at Peabody Academy. Burt frequently travelled with his mother to science fairs and conferences around the country.

He graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1961 and went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1966. Entering the United States Navy on an ROTC scholarship, he served aboard the USS George K. Mackenzie during the Vietnam War and was later stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. He then returned to school at the University of Tennessee, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1973.

It was during this time that he met his loving wife, Carolyn (Susan) Francis, and the two married in 1972. They spent the early years of their marriage on the farm as a small, happy family with Susan’s son, Marvin, whom he always loved as his own. Their daughter, Susanne Elizabeth Francis, was born in 1980. Burt was a respected trial lawyer for many years in Nashville and also served as Assistant Public Defender. His call to service came once again and he returned to Active Duty in the Navy, where he served as Commanding Officer at Naval Reserve Center Jackson Mississippi among other duty stations in the Southeast. He ultimately retired as a Commander after having spent a total of 17 years in the Navy.

After retiring from the Navy, Burt accepted a job as a staff attorney with the Office of Hearings and Appeals, Social Security Administration in Lexington, KY. Ultimately, he was appointed as an Administrative Law Judge in 1996, and practiced until retiring in 2012 after having suffered a stroke. He later went on to move with his wife to Richmond, VA to be close to their daughter and grandchildren as his health declined.

He often reflected on what he remembered as some of his happiest times, including the camaraderie among his Navy shipmates, his fellowship at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA, his ability to help those in need while serving as an attorney and Administrative Law Judge, and especially as a slow-pitch softball pitching coach and number one fan of his daughter’s sports. He used to place a step ladder between the pitching mound and home plate to teach Susanne how to generate enough arc on her pitches. Yet this became a lifelong metaphor to always remind her to keep striving for excellence, saying “Remember the ladder.”

Burt was a natural comedian and was always tasked with giving the roasts and toasts at retirement ceremonies and office functions. He enjoyed good food—one of his famous sayings was “Eat defensively, because you never know when the next famine will be!” He was a gifted orator, an accomplished legal scholar, a Veteran; a man of equanimity, morals, and patience. But most of all, Burt will be remembered for his genuine kindness, which radiated from his soul. One of his favorite themes of the Old Testament was God blesses His people in order that they might be a blessing to others. And Burt was most certainly a blessing to others.

After his wife preceded him in death, Burt spent his remaining year at Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care Center on the campus of the VA Hospital in Richmond, VA. Susanne cherished this special time, walking over from the VA hospital at lunch or after work to visit him. We are profoundly grateful for the outstanding care that is provided to the Veterans by the staff there, who do so with great dignity and respect. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation in his honor to Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, or to your local Veterans organization.

Burt is survived by his stepson--James Marvin Brock III; daughter--Susanne Francis McLaughlin (Patrick); grandchildren--Crystal Higgins (David), Jessi Gower (Chad), Staci Dawes (Lake), Mallory McLaughlin, and Mark McLaughlin; great-grandchildren--Alivia Higgins, Owen Gower, and Deacon Gower; sister-in-law—Cherrie Wiser (Ken); niece—Michelle Anderson (Robert); and nephew--Michael Carpenter (Amanda).