Virgil Francis Iii

Born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 3, 1938

Departed on December 12, 2019 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Virgil Walter Francis, III "Bud" age 81, went to be with his Heavenly Father Thursday, December 12, 2019. He was born May 3, 1938 in Atlanta, GA to the late Virgil Walter Francis, Jr. and Frances Thornton Francis; Bud is also preceded in death by his brother Stephen Thornton Francis.

Bud is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carole Ann (Hooper) Francis; Children: Kirk Francis (Tracy), Bruce Francis (Shelly) and Laura Francis-Thorp (Clay); Grandchildren: Hampton, William, Olivia, Abigail, Nathan, Ava, Daniel, Hope, Hannah, Josiah and Coleman.

Shortly after his birth in 1938, Bud, moved with his family to Pascagoula, MS. Later in 1946, he moved to Nashville, TN where he met his soulmate at the young age of 8 years old while attending Eakin Elementary School. Bud later attended Cavert Junior High School and West High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt he joined Sigma Chi Fraternity and also was a member of NROTC as an Ensign.

Bud graduated Vanderbilt University on Monday, May 30, 1960 and married his sweetheart on Friday, June 3, 1960. Bud and his new bride moved to Chicago, IL where he worked at the naval base in Forest Park, IL and achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He headed up Quality Control where they built torpedoes for submarines.

Bud earned his MBA in 1963 from the University of Chicago and moved back to Nashville later that year. He worked for the family printing and advertising company (Francis and Lusky, Inc.) that was founded in 1919 by his grandfather. Bud worked his way up in the family business and served as president for 20 years.

In 1993 Bud founded Francis Communications, Inc. (FCI Promos, Inc.) and in 1995 founded Arena Imprints, Inc. He served on the Board of Cumberland University and Young Republicans Club. Bud was a member of Rotary Club, enjoyed playing tennis, boating, fishing, dancing and golf. In 1985 he and Bill Blevins formed the Business Leadership Council of Nashville. Bud served as Sunday School Director and then Junior Warden and later served as Senior Warden at St. David's Episcopal Church. Bud was PIAS Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1990. He was man of the year for the Printing Industry Association of the South in 1992. He was a mentor to many, a devout Christian and bible study enthusiast. Bud was a loving devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, cousin, neighbor, colleague and friend.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 - 4 p.m. at Brook Hollow Baptist Church Saturday, December 21, 2019. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Jim Bachmann officiating. Bud will be laid to rest at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens with a private ceremony.

Grandchildren will be serving as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers serving will be Sigma Chi Fraternity, Sewing Group, Business Leadership Council of Nashville, Ron and Kay Overfield, Bob Smith, Edith Johnston, Linda Lamb, Robert Ivey, Hale Hooper, Jr., Coleman Little, and Mary Lou Marlow.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff and techs of NHC Place at The Trace for all of their love, dedication and special care during Bud's stay.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. or Stephens Valley Church.