Paul W. Francis

1933 - 2018

Paul William Francis, 84, of Independence, Mo., passed away January 3, 2018.

A visitation will be held Monday, Jan. 8, from 10 to 11 a.m., with a service following at 11 a.m., both at Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 E. 39th St. S. Independence, MO 64055. Burial with full military honors will follow at Floral Hills Cemetery.

Paul was born July 28, 1933, in St. Louis, Mo., to William and Elsie (Scott) Francis. He graduated from Central High School, St Louis, 1951 and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. Paul went on to receive his Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

He was a former reporter, editor and Associate Sunday Editor for The Kansas City Star from 1959 to 1973. Paul retired as Director of Communications for Kansas City Public Television in 1995. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Journalists and a past president of the Kansas City Press Club.

Resident of Independence, Mo., since 1959, Paul had much community involvement including serving as a board member for Citizens for Effective Leadership (CEL), a past member of the Mayor's Cable Television Advisory Board, past member of the Jackson County Zoning Board, past member of the Jackson County Mental Health Fund Board, charter member of the Kansas City Task Force for Literacy, and past chairman of the board and president of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency – Kansas City.

Also a member of the Journeyman Class at Christ United Methodist Church in Independence, he was recognized as a Disciple having completed the church's four year Bible Study Course.

His wife Merideth Francis, preceded him in death in 1989. He leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Troy Periman, and beloved grandson Justin Periman, all of Gardner, Kan.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com.

Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel, Independence, 816-373-3600.