Carl Francis

Carl "Bud" Francis, 85, of Tahoka, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2022. He was born on July 4, 1936, in Plainview, Hale County, Texas, to the late Ernest Scott Francis and Addie (Brasher) Francis.

Carl graduated from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attended the University of New Mexico and Riverside Poly in Riverside, California. He enlisted in the United States Army and was part of the Special Forces Group during the Vietnam War. Carl was one of the original Green Beret's, under the administration of President John F. Kennedy. During his service to his country, he obtained a degree in electrical engineering. Following his discharge, he worked for Reliance Electric, Allied Signal and Honeywell. He also worked at Lockheed Martin as a test engineer. He moved to Tahoka, from LaPorte, in 2014.

Carl was a member of the Pleasants 0063 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and was a 32nd Degree Mason at the New Bern Lodge. He was also a member of the Sudan Temple. Carl met the love of his life, Deloris Short, and they were united in 2016 in Lubbock, Texas. They have made their home together in Tahoka since that time. He was a member of Sweet Street Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish and honor his memory include his wife, Deloris; two daughters, Teeei Booth Gordon and Lesa Renne Marriman; three step-sons, Todd Henry of Tahoka, Michael Henry of Shallowater and Jack Henry of Richmond; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Brown of LaPorte, and numerous extended family members, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wayne and Carmie Francis; three sisters, Loretta England, Ima Robinson and Virginia Hardage.

Visitation for Carl will be on Sunday, June 26, 2022, from 5 PM to 7 PM at the Combest Family Funeral Home in Tahoka. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Sweet Street Baptist Church in Tahoka, 1300 Avenue J. Pastor Jesse Dale Cannon will be the officiant. Final rites and interment will follow in the Nevels Cemetery under the personal care and direction of Combest Family Funeral Homes.

Pallbearers will be Armando Blanco, Jr., Robby Cox, Robert Pool, Windell Lamberson, Nicodemus Ayalla, Colton Summers, Christopher Gutierrez and Qualyn Stroope.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Carl's memory to the Wounded Warriors Foundation, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.