FRANCIS, JR., John Russell

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Wednesday, April 08, 2015 John R. Francis, Jr., 61, passed away April 5, 2015, at his home in Wittmann. John was born February 15, 1954, in Toledo, Ohio, to John R. and Joan Francis and was raised in various parts of the country. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1974 to 1978 serving primarily in the Kodiak, Alaska, region. Following his service in the Coast Guard he began working in manufacturing of military products for defense contracts. He came to Arizona in 1981 and began working in the medical field as a x-ray technician and later with MRI imagining. John was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church serving as the head elder and reader. He was active in missionary work and youth outreach. He was very talented as an artist in sketch, oil painting and sculpting as well as woodworking. John was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hiking, camping and was a skilled survivalist. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Joan Francis. He is survived by his children Daniel Francis of Buckeye and Andrea Linde of Tolleson; sister Linda Sundust of Wittmann; niece Angela Francis of Wittmann; grandchildren Brandon and Tristan Linde; and many cousins, aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Wickenburg Funeral Home with internment to follow in the Genung Cemetery in Peeples Valley. Friend may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory.