John Emile Francis

John Emile Francis

02/03/36 - 08/30/14

A Mass of Christian Burial for John Emile Francis will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014 in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church with Rev. Dan O'Connor officiating. Interment will be held in Green Lawn Cemetery, Hammond at 3:30 p.m. Friday with Rev. Cayet Mangiaracina of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, under the direction of John Kramer & Son.

John Emile Francis, 78, of Alexandria passed away at Grace Home on Saturday, August 30, 2014, surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with heart disease.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louise Meyers Francis and Theodore Francis; and his daughters, Catherine Angela Francis and Patricia Francis Sabala.

John was born in Boyce and was raised in Alexandria where he attended elementary schools and graduated from Bolton High School. After serving in the Army stateside, and being recalled to active service in Germany during tensions with the Soviet Union, he finished his college degrees at McNeese State University. He completed his Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education/Social Studies, his M.A. in Administration and Supervision there, then his Masters +30 at Northwestern State University. He taught and coached in Calcasieu and Tangipahoa Parishes. He was principal at Southwood High school in Hammond, schools in Rapides Parish including SSD 1 at Pinecrest State School and Poland Jr. High. He retired as principal from Oak Hill High School. John loved all of his teaching challenges; however, some of his fondest memories were coaching and leading several high school state championship teams in football, basketball and track and field. He often said after retirement, "I just miss the kids." John was loved, respected and admired in the communities where he made positive contributions. He was a faithful member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Alexandria and the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd Degree Knight in Council #8029. Finally, John was active in the community helping to establish a neighborhood watch with community police officers and participating in many local, state, and national elections. He will be missed by all.

John leaves here to remember and miss him, his loving wife of 51 years, Murray Wannamaker Francis; daughter Judith Francis Cooley, son-in-law Leonard Spencer Cooley, Jr. and grandson Trey; son, Kevin C. Francis, daughter-in-law Bunny Snow Francis and granddaughter Josie Snow Francis; son-in-law John Sabala, granddaughters Amanda Sabala and Kristina Sabala Juneau, and her husband Brad Juneau, great-granddaughter Abigail Rose Juneau and great- grandson Noland Joseph Juneau. He also leaves behind one brother, Joseph Theodore Francis, Jr. and his wife Rose Francis; one sister Mary Ann Francis Becnel and her husband Dr. Harry P. Becnel, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2014 and again from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday September 5, 2014 at John Kramer & Son. Recitation of the Rosary will be held by Rev. Dan O'Connor at 6 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Pallbearers honored to serve are Roland Bordelon, Geoff Carr, Artie Visconte, Chris Maggio, Tex Chelette, and Roosevelt Johnson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jessie Doyle, Jimmy Elias, Carl Enna, Jr., Jim Foster, Billy Liberto, Bobby Alost, and the members of the Knights of Columbus Council #8029.

To extend notes of condolence to the Francis family, please visit us at www.KramerFuenrals.com.