Richard Dee Francis

Our beloved husband, father grandfather and great grandfather, Richard D Francis returned to be with his eternal family on January 3, 2025. Richard was born on February 6, 1932 to Richard R and Viola Francis in Ogden Utah. He married Caroldyn Smoot on August 12, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS temple and in August they celebrated 71 years of marriage. Together they had six children.

Richard graduated from Morgan high school where he excelled in baseball and most sports and was a part of the band, playing the tuba. He went on to attend and graduate from Utah State University with a Masters degree in Education. He had an amazing career in teaching and as a Coordinator at Clearfield High School for 40 years. There he had many good friends and co-workers. He also taught many years at Weber State University. Dad was instrumental in developing the high school vocational programs throughout the state of Utah. He taught the afterschool 3 to 6 pm program for many years, assisting students to graduate and better their lives. Through his life everywhere he went, former students would stop him to thank him for helping them get their high school diploma and teaching them how to be better members of society.

Dad spent many years with his father, uncles, cousins and Rick hunting on the Francis Ranch. He was a lifeguard at Como Springs in Morgan and that where he met mom and started their courtship. He enjoyed boating with his family at Bear Lake and golfing. He loved to travel with mom and his family. His daily joy was working in his yard, mowing the lawns, manicuring the flowerbeds and raking up pinecones from the huge pine trees in his yard. Mom and His family were his greatest joy and he was so proud of each and everyone. He always said he was so blessed to have the best family in the world. Dad was the peacemaker in the family and was always kind. He cared for everyone he came in contact with. 

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in various callings throughout his life. He, along with mom, served for nine years as LDS church service missionaries and were able to meet people from all over the world at the LDS conference center and at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Richard is survived by his wife, Caroldyn S Francis and his six children, Debbie, (Tyler) Sprague, Karen, (Steve) Holbrook, Janet Francis Hamblin, Janice (Kirk) Mangus, Susie, (Bob) Beers , Rick (Triscia) Francis. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard R. and Viola Fry Francis and one sister Geraldine Randall.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the aides at Apple Village and especially to CNS Hospice nurses Danita, Deana, Laura and Melina for their care and support at the end of his journey.

Funeral services in his honor will be held at the Farmington Russon Brothers Mortuary on Monday, January 13, 2025. The family will meet with friends from 9:30 to 10:30 AM with a funeral service following at 11 a.m.