Dr. Francis Fesmire

Dr. Francis Miller Fesmire Jr., 54, passed away suddenly on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. Francis was a distinguished emergency physician, treasured teacher, beloved father, husband, son and brother. An avid student of history, Francis held a particular fondness for the Civil War and collected numerous relics of the past throughout his lifetime. He was an amateur stargazer, self-taught guitarist, recreational golfer, and a proud fan of Tennessee football, the Boston Red Sox, and the Atlanta Braves. Throughout his life he was an avid lover of film and literature, possessing a fondness for Southern Literature, particularly authors such as William Faulkner, Pat Conroy, and Walker Percy. In 2010 he published his novel, Nashville Skyline, his own contribution to this genre. Born in Atlanta on Nov. 16, 1959, Francis was a longtime resident of Chattanooga, where he first attended Bright School and graduated from Baylor School in 1978. He then studied at Harvard University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1981. He attended Vanderbilt Medical School after which he completed his residency at University Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. He began his career as an Emergency Physician at Memorial Hospital Emergency Department in Chattanooga, and later transferred to Erlanger Medical Center Emergency Department to pursue his dream of working at a teaching hospital. Francis is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Connie; two inspired sons, Forrest and Hunter Fesmire; mother and stepfather, Carolyn and Randall Pierce; sisters, Carolyn (David) Castor, Mary Ann (Peter) Emanuel; stepsisters, Holly (Chase) Ambler, Mary Katherine (Joe) Austin; five nephews and six nieces. He was predeceased by his father, Francis Fesmire Sr.; grandparents, the Rev. W.J. and Eula Fesmire, Dr. William and Mary Block; brother-in-law, Michael Bowling; and stepbrother, Randall "Bo" Pierce. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. today, Feb. 3, at the North Chapel. Burial will be at Chattanooga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Chattanooga Emergency Medicine Foundation, c/o Velvet Green, 975 E. Third St., Box 251, Chattanooga, TN 37403, contribution is tax deductible. Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory & Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN, 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com