Francis Marion Burleigh Jr.

Francis Marion Burleigh, Jr. passed away on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at his home in Church Point, surrounded by loving family members. He was 88 years old.
Francis was born in Sunset and spent his early life there, where he grew up on a simple farm with his parents and two siblings. It was there that he developed his love of horses and country life. He later moved to Jeanerette where he graduated from Jeanerette High School, and then attended Louisiana State University and Southwestern Louisiana Institute. He graduated with a degree in Geology. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the outbreak of the Korean War, and served for three years. In addition to being awarded numerous medals for bravery including the Bronze Star in combat, he attained the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged.
Francis was a generous and well respected member of his community, serving on many boards and councils including the Church Point Town Council, the Acadia St. Landry Hospital Board, Our Mother of Peace Elementary School Board, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the Acadia Parish Cattleman’s Association. Francis raised and showed Quarter horses for many years. He also served as President of the Louisiana Seedsman’s Association, and owned and operated Burleigh Farm Supply and Horecky Cotton Gin. He was a dedicated member of the Board of Directors at Farmers State Bank and Trust, and served as its Chairman for over thirty years. He served as a lector at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church for many years. He was known throughout the parish as a kind and humble man, well-loved and respected by all who knew him.
Francis was a loving and dedicated husband and father, married to Theresa Horecky Burleigh for 61 years. He is survived by his wife Theresa and his eight children, Jean Claire Thobe (husband Bill Thobe), Amy Casanova (husband Jackie Casanova), Francis Marion Burleigh III (wife Julie Genre Burleigh), Julie Burleigh (wife Catherine Opie), Ellen Burleigh, Catherine Faulk, Albert Roy Burleigh (wife Dayna Ziegler Burleigh) and Patrick Burleigh (wife Melissa Manuel Burleigh). Francis was blessed with 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Ivan Burleigh of Denver.
He is preceded in death by his siblings Bubba Danel, Bessie Lee Barry and Larry Burleigh; his parents, Francis M. Burleigh Sr. and Bessie Nezat Burleigh; and grandchild Adam Burleigh.
Heartfelt thanks to his faithful caregivers Mary Guidry and Eric Johnson, and also Lauren Thccibodeaux. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital by going to www.stjude.org.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Church Point. Monsignor Jefferson J. DeBlanc will conduct the services with entombment following in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Mausoleum on Highway 35 north of Church Point. Visiting hours will be observed at Guidry Funeral Home from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, and continue from 9 a.m. Tuesday until the time of the services. A recitation of the Rosary will be held there at 7 p.m. Monday.
Arrangements are being handled by Guidry Funeral Home, Inc.; 219 N. Broadway, Church Point, LA (337) 684-5488. View the obituary and guest book on-line at guidryfuneralhome.com.