Francis Joseph Burger III

Francis "Frank" Joseph Burger III 92 passed away peacefully at his home in Picayune, MS on October 8, 2026.

A longtime resident of Mississippi he was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 11, 1934.

His education included graduation from Saint Patrick's High School in 1951 and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1954 at which time he obtained his U.S. Coast Guard License as Third Assistant Engineer and a commission as ensign in the U.S. Navy. Upon graduation he sailed in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Drafted in 1956 into the U.S. Navy as an Officer. He served 8 years Active Duty essentially in Engineering Billets. He left active duty in 1964 staying in the Naval Reserve until retirement in 1985 as a captain (Engineering Duty). Subsequent to active duty he went to work for the Navy Bureau of ships as an Engineer before leaving for work as program manager at Lockheed Shipbuilding and construction company in Seattle building and delivering 7 Amphibious Transports (LPD's). He additionally managed the construction and delivery of a commercial bulk carrier of 35 k DWT for California Sugar Company. Finally locating to the great state of Mississippi to work for Ingalls Shipbuilding as project engineer and as a director of engineering for the 30 Spruance class destroyers and the 5 Tarawa class amphibious transports and then as program manager for the USS Ticonderoga CG47 first "Aegis" class of 19 built and delivered guided missile cruisers he became vice president of both "Aegis" programs with the Advent of the guided missile destroyers some 14 under contract before his retirement in 1996. On retirement from Ingalls, he worked for years as a consultant in engineering for several law firms in Mesothelioma cases.

Additionally, Lynne developed Burger Animal Rescue through which they cared for, over the years, several hundred dogs, cats, horses, goats, parrots, and doves to say nothing of Raccoons, o possum and countless wild birds.

He was a life member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Surface Navy Association and the Navy League. He held 1 Engineering patent for a deck socket plug, patent 244668.

Mr. Burger was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. (Mae Pheifer) Francis Joseph Burger, Jr. MD; his first wife of 21 years, Jean Ulatowski; brother, Joseph and nephew, Joseph.

He is survived by his dear wife of 45 years, Lynne Hall; two daughters, Dr. Andrea Elenbaas Dentistry (Bill) and Dr. Lucinda Pringle, PhD Physics; grandson, Maximillion Elenbaas and his sister, Anita Ekbladh (Lamar).

Funeral Services and Burial will be private with family only.

He will be buried beside his dear wife of over 45 years, Lynne.

In lieu of flowers or other donations he prefers donations made to Massachusetts Marine Academy, RLF54 account, in his name.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Francis "Frank" Joseph Burger III.