Jack Dennis Francis

Jack Dennis Francis, age 72 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away February 17, 2009.

Jack was born June 19, 1936 in Hutchinson, Kansas to William and Opal (Sharps) Francis. Jack graduated from the University of Kansas in 1959 and remained an avid basketball-football fan. He retired from General Motors/EDS in 1996 after 37 years.

Jack played softball for 50 years and was a team member of senior softball in Kansas City and Albuquerque and played in the Senior Olympics in Kansas, Missouri and New Mexico. Jack was a member of the Archaeological Society of New Mexico, Kansas City Archaeological Society, Shawnee Mission Indian Historical Society, also a member and past president of Albuquerque Archaeological Society. He volunteered with the Santa Fe National Forest Site Steward program and the National Park Service leading, with Anne, a project recording all rock art in Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque receiving the 1998 Group Heritage Preservation Award and the Archaeological Achievement Award in 2002 from the Archaeological Society of New Mexico.

Jack ran two marathons and hiked the Grand Canyon four times including rim-to-rim-to-rim. He traveled to all 50 states and 27 foreign countries. He owned and restored a 1941 Chevrolet business coupe and participated in car shows with the West Side Cruisers of Rio Rancho.

Jack was preceded in death by his father and by his step-son Greg Beucher. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Anne of the home, his mother Opal and step-father Gene Risley of Kingman, Kansas, by his children: Mike (Lisa), Alan (Tammy), John (Stephanie), Jodi, Todd Beucher (Lynn Ubben); three sisters: Carol (John) Battitori, Mary (Mike) McDonald, Susan (Stan) Moore; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations in Jack's memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Visitation and Memorial Service

Memorial Service will be held Saturday February 28, 2009, at 5 p.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee, with a visitation starting at 4:30 p.m. and continuing after the service.

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