James Lee Francis
James “Jim” Francis died on Thursday, February 13. He was 73 years old.
He was born on July 28, 1946, in St. Louis, a son of the late H.E. and Norma Francis.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rosemary (Phillips) Francis; two daughters, Jean Scholtes and her husband Jeff, Jennifer Heins and her husband Eric; four grandchildren, Kade Richardson, Cooper Richardson, Jacob Scholtes, Karlee Scholtes; two sisters, Jane Eck and her husband John, Ann David and her husband Mike; one sister-in-law, Jean Phillips; two brothers-in-law, Stephen Phillips, Dan Walker; one aunt, Lois Krause; and other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Jill Walker.
After graduating from Desloge High School in 1964, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Scotland, which led to him meeting and marrying his wife. After his service, he attended mortuary science school in Dallas, Texas, and earned his embalming license. He worked for Boyer Funeral Home in Bonne Terre for several years before moving to Ste. Genevieve to become the assistant administrator of the hospital. During this time, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Southeast Missouri State University. He became a State Farm Insurance Agent in 1984 and was proud to serve his community until his retirement in 2018.
He was a Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club member since 1976, serving two terms as club president. He was a member of the Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital Friends Foundation board since 2013. He was very much liked and admired by those who knew and worked with him.
His favorite pastimes were fishing and travel, but above all he enjoyed spending time with his beloved family.
Public visitation was scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, at Wood Family Funeral Home in Ste. Genevieve, with military honors at 3:30 p.m. Wood Family Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Alan P. Lyss Cancer Center at Ste. Genevieve Memorial Hospital, or Serenity Hospice.
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