Buddy Francis

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Harold Eugene (Buddy) Francis, age 90, of Oronogo, Missouri passed away at 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Buddy was born in rural Davis County, Iowa on May 28, 1925 to Willie Lee and Verta May (Gingerich) Francis. He was married to the love of his life, Katherine Janice Jenkins of Bloomfield, Iowa on March 10, 1946. He often said that was the best day of his life. She passed away in 2006 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Buddy loved her and cared for her at their home till the very end. He was also preceded in death by his sister Pauline Thomann, and his brothers Billy and Larry Francis.

Buddy left his farm in Iowa and moved to the Joplin, Missouri area in 1994 to have more time to care for Janice. He had an acreage there that allowed him to continue raising organic beef for his loyal customers. He became an excellent cook after Janice was no longer able to fix their meals. Although he fixed many different things, he had three specialties: fried chicken, homemade ice cream and pies. One of his great joys was sharing food and produce from his garden with friends, neighbors and family. His Sunday School class benefited from his asparagus patch for many years. All of his neighbors will miss getting their Christmas turtles and caramel corn that he would deliver.

Buddy never met a little kid he didn't like and, if possible, he fed them all ice cream! He enjoyed family gatherings, his 5 brothers and sisters with their families getting together was always an opportunity for all the great cooks to share their talents.

Buddy served in the Army Air Corps during World War II where he trained to be a pilot. He recently traveled to Washington D.C. and at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum he was able to see the planes he trained in. All the memorials there were so meaningful to him. He said that trip was one of the highlights of his life.

He was a devout Christian from a very young age and was active in the Stiles Christian Church, in Davis County, Iowa, serving as deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher for many years. He became a member of the College Heights Christian Church when they moved to Missouri. His love of the Lord was a witness to anyone who ever knew him.

Buddy is survived by three children, sons Neil Francis and wife Elaine, Mark Francis and wife Andrea, both of Joplin Missouri and daughter Kay Ison and husband Neil of Gower, Missouri. He had ten grandchildren: Scott and wife Nancy Francis of Moorpark, California, Angelique and husband Austin Goetz of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mandy and husband Josh Sohosky of Lenexa, Kansas, Katie and husband Chad DeShon of Olathe, Kansas, Jonathan and wife Vicki Francis of Joplin, Missouri, Grant and wife Kristan Francis of Birmingham, Alabama, Adam and wife Annie Francis of Joplin, Missouri, Josh and wife Carrie Francis of Oronogo, Missouri, Abi and husband Brady Ghan of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Lizzie Francis of Joplin Missouri. He also had eleven great grandchildren. He was a great blessing and example to his whole family.

A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at the Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin, Missouri on Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. Memorial contributions are suggested to Ozark Christian College or Good News Productions, in care of the mortuary.