Francis Ignatius Chase
1941-12-20 2019-08-27
Francis Ignatius Chase was born on December 20, 1941 in Leonardtown, Maryland and died peacefully, with his wife by his side, on August 27, 2019, in Temple, Texas. He married Elva Elaine Lewis on March 15, 1978, in Killeen, Texas.
Francis began his early childhood education in the public schools of Mechanicsvillie, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army for 12 years as a Cannon Crewman and earned the following decorations, medals, badges, and citations: Expert M-16 Rifle, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Drivers Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NCO Professional Development Ribbon. After his military service, he continued his education at Central Texas College School of Automotive Technology. Francis worked as a driver for Central Texas Transportation, Central Texas College Bookstore, and Foreman for Central Texas College Custodial Services.
Francis was a very personable, never met a stranger, and anyone who was in his presence was always made to feel comfortable. He loved his uninterrupted daily Bible reading, his morning newspaper, watching the news, and then an evening of NCIS, Law and Order, and Criminal Minds. He also loved watching wrestling (with his grandson, Hasani) and his favorite football team, the Washington Red Skins. Francis loved children and could easily form a bond with them, as well as dogs of all breeds. He was considered the neighborhood watchman. Most of all, Francis loved the Lord! He was a faithful member of Pershing Park Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon (Team A), member of the men’s Sunday Benevolence Committee and Bereavement Ministry.
Francis was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Chase, his father, Francis C. Shelton, his brothers, Sterling Shelton, Thomas (Nat) Shelton, and Wendell Cooper; his sister Gwendolyn Shelton; 13 uncles and 15 aunts.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 41 years, Elva L. Chase of Killeen, Texas; his stepmother Mary Agnes Shelton of Leonardtown, Maryland. He is survived by his children: Lisa Jones (Daniel Jones) of Panama City, Florida; Karen Jay (Robert Jay) of Waldorf, Maryland; Marvin Chase (Sherry Chase) of Clinton, Maryland; and Naretha Chase of Dallas, Texas; Sisters Elizabeth Curtis of Suitland, Maryland; Maxine Johnson of Baltimore, Maryland; Martha Shelton of LaPlata, Maryland; Valarie Coleman of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Angela (Michael) Mitchell of Bowie, Maryland. Brothers: Jimmy Chase of Lexington Park, Maryland, Joseph Shelton of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and David Kane of Compton, Maryland. He also leaves a son/nephew Brunardo James Lewis, 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, cousins, and friends.
Francis began his early childhood education in the public schools of Mechanicsvillie, Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army for 12 years as a Cannon Crewman and earned the following decorations, medals, badges, and citations: Expert M-16 Rifle, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Drivers Badge, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and NCO Professional Development Ribbon. After his military service, he continued his education at Central Texas College School of Automotive Technology. Francis worked as a driver for Central Texas Transportation, Central Texas College Bookstore, and Foreman for Central Texas College Custodial Services.
Francis was a very personable, never met a stranger, and anyone who was in his presence was always made to feel comfortable. He loved his uninterrupted daily Bible reading, his morning newspaper, watching the news, and then an evening of NCIS, Law and Order, and Criminal Minds. He also loved watching wrestling (with his grandson, Hasani) and his favorite football team, the Washington Red Skins. Francis loved children and could easily form a bond with them, as well as dogs of all breeds. He was considered the neighborhood watchman. Most of all, Francis loved the Lord! He was a faithful member of Pershing Park Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon (Team A), member of the men’s Sunday Benevolence Committee and Bereavement Ministry.
Francis was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Chase, his father, Francis C. Shelton, his brothers, Sterling Shelton, Thomas (Nat) Shelton, and Wendell Cooper; his sister Gwendolyn Shelton; 13 uncles and 15 aunts.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 41 years, Elva L. Chase of Killeen, Texas; his stepmother Mary Agnes Shelton of Leonardtown, Maryland. He is survived by his children: Lisa Jones (Daniel Jones) of Panama City, Florida; Karen Jay (Robert Jay) of Waldorf, Maryland; Marvin Chase (Sherry Chase) of Clinton, Maryland; and Naretha Chase of Dallas, Texas; Sisters Elizabeth Curtis of Suitland, Maryland; Maxine Johnson of Baltimore, Maryland; Martha Shelton of LaPlata, Maryland; Valarie Coleman of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and Angela (Michael) Mitchell of Bowie, Maryland. Brothers: Jimmy Chase of Lexington Park, Maryland, Joseph Shelton of Oxon Hill, Maryland; and David Kane of Compton, Maryland. He also leaves a son/nephew Brunardo James Lewis, 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, cousins, and friends.