John Furgess Jr.

Col John Furgess, Jr., 83, of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, June 1, 2026, with his three adoring daughters by his side. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years in 2016, Alma Elmore Furgess. He was also preceded by his parents, John Sr., and Anita Nolan Furgess, by his sisters, Julie Anne Connolly (Billy) and Dottie Harrington, sister-in-law Susan Moore, and Mother-in-law Lois (Aquila) Elmore Penrod.

He is survived by his three daughters Amy (Kenneth) Brown of Tega Cay, SC, Mary Catherine (Jason) Conrad of Mt Juliet, TN, Melissa “Missy” (Raylan) Springs of Nashville, TN, and twelve Grandchildren, Brandon Brown, Andrew Brown, Will Brown, Christopher Brown, Zachary Brown, Sarah Grace Conrad, Lillian Conrad, Patrick Conrad, Kayla Springs, Megan Springs, Kameron Springs, Maddie Springs, and great-granddaughter, Charlie Anne Brown; by nieces Catherine (Jeremy) Wince, Katie Connolly Wolfe, nephews Mark Connolly and Brian Harrington, and a multitude of loving family and friends.

A Vietnam Veteran, and retired Colonel from the US Army and TN Army National Guard, he graduated from Father Ryan High School (1961) and MTSU (ROTC) 1965. He served as Assistant Commissioner of TN Dept. of Veterans Affairs (1983-2002), and as Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander in Chief (2005). He was chairman of Music City Honor Flight (6 Flights), and longtime Vice-Chairman, Davidson Co. Veterans Coordinating Council being the voice of the Nashville Veterans Day Parade for over 40 years and serving with Memorial Day Ceremonies throughout Tennessee. He was past Commander of the American Legion Post 5 and was the first Vietnam Veteran to serve as Tennessee VFW State Commander (1979). He was Bellevue Citizen of the Year (1983) and authored a continuous West View newspaper column (Vet’s View) for 32 years. He served as President, Bellevue Exchange Club (1976), and chaired the Bellevue Exchange High School Football Bowl (1985-1999).

He was a true Veterans advocate having traveled to all 50 states and 25 foreign countries and was the first VFW National Commander to visit our troops in Iraq (August 2005). He was a true Titans fan as a 2-time PSL Founder. He was a faithful member of Saint Henry Catholic Church for over 50 years. Being a friend to all and a hero to many, John selflessly dedicated his life to serving our country and Veterans and loving his family.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 9:00a.m. -12:00p.m. with a funeral mass to follow at 12:00p.m. at Saint Henry Catholic Church in Nashville, TN. Burial will follow at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Bellevue, TN. Serving as Pallbearers will be VFW Past State Commanders, and American Legion Post 5 Past State Commanders. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, Operation Stand Down Nashville, or to the Tennessee Fisher House.