Francis "Chick" Charles Vossen

Ret. Col Francis Charles Vossen, nicknamed “Chick” as a young child, passed away on January 19, 2024, just 25 days after his beloved wife Kathryn Ann, and 41 days after his precious son, Christopher Vossen. Chick is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law: Beth Vossen and Glenn Randle, North Carolina; Vicki & and Michael Mullis Georgia; Grandchildren: Michael Mullis, Ian Vossen, Connor Mullis, Savanna Randle, Elizabeth Vossen, and Zachary Mullis; his brother William Vossen and family, New Jersey.

Chick was born in Staten Island, NY on April 24, 1936, where he spent his years in school. Chick attended Staunton Military Academy in Virginia for high school. After high school, he went to Columbia University for a semester and then was drafted into the military. By the time he completed basic training, he was recommended for OCS “Officers Candidate School'' in Fort Benning, Georgia. He attended Jump School and became a paratrooper. The night he completed training he met his beloved wife, Ann Vossen. The newlyweds embarked on their adventure to Fayetteville, North Carolina. During the four years they spent at Fort Bragg, he spent 2 years deployed with Special Forces. The family stayed in Columbus, Georgia during Chick’s tour of Vietnam. Chick received the Bronze Star with Valor and the Legion of Merit due to his actions during the war. After the war, he was stationed at the US Army Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. While in Kansas, Chick completed his master's degree in public administration from the University of Missouri in 1972. Chick eventually was assigned to be the Professor of Military Science for ROTC cadets at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He was also the college lacrosse coach. This was an exciting time for Chick and Ann, after 20 years of marriage they bought their first house. In November 1976, Chick spoke at the Battlefield of the Grand Army of the Republic in honor of President Lincoln’s famous address in November 1863. He attended the US Army War College in Carlisle Pennsylvania in 1979 and taught there in 1980 before he moved to Washington DC to attend spy school in preparation for his appointment as the Army Attache at the US Embassy in Rome, Italy. Since Chick’s first language was Italian, he felt right at home on this tour. After Chick left Italy, he received an award from the “Ufficiale Dell ‘Ordine al Meritio Della Rupubblica Italiana” from the President of the Republic of Italy. This award is not typically given to foreigners.

The next move enabled Ann & Chick to purchase their second home on Kingfisher Drive, in Marietta, GA. This was their twentieth move in 25 years of marriage. After 30 years in the US Army, Chick retired. He then found his second career with the city of Atlanta, where he was the CFO for the police and fire departments of the city of Atlanta. Chick spent 20 years working for the City of Atlanta. In his spare time, he taught government and budgeting at the Graduate School of Public Administration at Kennesaw State University.

After Chick retired, he spent time with his grandkids or traveling with Ann. He used his passion for lacrosse to help the Walton Lacrosse Team and the travel teams that his grandsons participated in. He also provided “Cousin Summer Camp” for his grandkids. Camps occurred at the beach while others happened on courts and fields. Pa Chick loved his grandkids!

Chick became involved with St Ann’s Catholic Church, where he worked on the Church Finance Committee. He also was a member of the Pastoral Care where he provided communion to those homebound members of the church.

Since Chick passed so soon after his beloved bride, Chick and Ann will have their interment together at the Georgia National Cemetery, at 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton Georgia, 30114. on Thursday, February 15th where he will receive full military service. If attending, you need to line up in the carline at 2:30 PM for their 3:00 PM service. There will be a celebration of Life for Ann & Chick Vossen at Holbrook of Woodstock in the Zinnia Café, located at 13682 Highway 92, Woodstock, Georgia, 30188 following the interment. A memorial mass for Ann & and Chick Vossen will take place at 11:00 AM on February 16, 2024, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, located at 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta, Georgia 30062.