Robert "Bob" Shelton Francisco

Marion, Va.

Robert “Bob” Shelton Francisco, age 89, passed away at Johnston Memorial Hospital on September 4, 2026.

Bob had his priorities straight – God, Family, and Country. He was a long-time member of Chilhowie Christian Church. Bob was married to Pat for 68 years and served in the United States Air Force in the Strategic Air Command from 1954 to 1958. He returned to Smyth County and earned a B.S. in Physics at Emory and Henry College in 1963 and went on to do graduate work at the University of Miami in 1965. When he wasn’t working at Raytheon Missile Division or Brunswick Defense, he loved being Pap to his grandchildren, camping, going on vacation, farming and caring for his apple orchard or riding the roads with the love of his life. Family was everything to Bob and he will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Seaton and Oneida Campbell Francisco; sisters, Evelyn Farnsworth, Levinia Crane, and Polly Counts.

Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Patsy “Pat” Galliher Francisco; daughters, Sonya DeMotts and husband Greg and Carla Dunn, both of Kingsport, Tn.; son, Robert Francisco and wife, Sharon of Chilhowie, Va.; grandchildren, Adam Dunn, Joey Dunn and Faith DeMotts; great-grandchildren, Everly, Hayes, Deacon, Harper and Nolan; several nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Bob’s son-in-law, Dr. Greg DeMotts, for wonderful medical care throughout his life. The family also wishes to thank Ballad Hospice at Johnston Memorial Hospital’s third floor, Ally, Bethany and Kayla will always be special to the Franciscos.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel with Minister Frank Branson and Elder Bill Campbell officiating and with Military Rites conducted by VFW Post #4667 and Air Force Honor Guard. Family will receive friends starting at 1 p.m. until time of service . A Private Burial will be at Knollkreg Cemetery, 556 Walden Rd NE., Abingdon, Va. 24210

To share memories of Robert “Bob” Francisco, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Bob’s family has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion Va. 24354.