Martin Francis
Martin Francis, a star wrestler for Notre Dame High School who became the first four-time state champion in Tennessee history, has died in Knoxville at 68.
His record remained intact for 25 years. He accomplished his feat when there were no divisions or classifications. All schools with wrestling programs wrestled in the same classification.
He graduated from Notre Dame in 1972.
His parents were Dr. and Mrs. Guy M. Francis, Sr., of Chattanooga.
His sisters are Mary F. Corrigan, of Nashville and Elizabeth F. Kaleida ( Dr. Phillip) of Knoxville.
Francis traveled the world during his career in the Air Force. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he was a member of the Air National Guard. His military service spanned three decades.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Knoxville on Saturday at 11 a.m. His body will be transported on Monday to Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chattanooga for burial alongside his parents and paternal grandmother. Fr. Mike Nolan will conduct a graveside service at Mt. Olivet at 11 a.m. on Monday. Friends are welcome to attend.
The family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be sent to: Notre Dame High School Wrestling Fund Notre Dame High School 2701 Vermont Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404; or St. John Neumann Catholic Church 633 St. John Court Knoxville, TN 37934.