Kenneth Morgan Francis, 97, formerly of Quanah, Texas, recently residing in Leander, Texas passed away Saturday, November 20, 2021, in Round Rock, Texas.

Kenneth was born May 20, 1924, in Chillicothe, Texas to Logan Jefferson and Mary Etta Francis.  A WWII Army Veteran, Kenneth entered into the service of his country on June 21, 1943, after graduation from Chillicothe High School, where he served as President of his Senior Class.  After bootcamp training at Camp Berkley in Abilene, Texas he was assigned to the 43 ^rd Infantry Division 103 ^rd Regiment.  Sailing from the East Coast he arrived four months later in Auckland, New Zealand for extended training before being deployed to New Guinea.  After six months in New Guinea, his division was sent to help liberate the Philippines where he was wounded in battle on April 1, 1945.  He volunteered as a clerk/typist while recovering from that wound and during his service as a soldier Kenneth was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He attained the rank of Sergeant and after two and a half years completed his Army service in November 1945.

In January 1946, he married the love of his life, Edna Burnam, also from Chillicothe and together they raised six children in Quanah.

He accepted a job in the summer of 1947 at Wells Plumbing Company that was later established by Marvin Wells as Mid-Tex Supply Company where Kenneth served as President and Manager for twenty-four years.  Following his time in Quanah, he accepted a position as Manager of the supply branch of A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing Co. in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Returning to the state of Texas in 1976 he accepted the Manager position for Austin Plumbing Supply.  Following that opportunity he fulfilled a life-long dream of business ownership as he founded Kenco Pipe and Supply in Austin in 1979. Once again with his gift of eternal optimism he looked beyond the business and building recession of 1987 in Austin and at age 65 became a Civil Servant beginning employment with Bergstrom Air Force Base.  There he was employed as an HVAC/Boiler Technician where he received recognition as a skilled and valued employee.

As Bergstrom Air Force Base closed down in 1994, he and Edna moved to the Hill Country of Texas where Kenneth took his talents and newly developed skills.  Here he continued on his career development journey with the City of Granite Shoals.  Building Inspector, Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Building and Development Official were just some of his responsibilities.  He served through the terms of seven mayors while being recognized as a trusted and valued advisor to various City Managers and City Departments before finally retiring at the young age of 87.  The city administration expressed their appreciation by engraving in granite, inside the City Hall..."Kenneth Francis, Building Official".

The ultimate achievement in his uniquely faithful and unwavering optimistic walk through this life's journey is the sincere love and respect he unconditionally exchanged with those he encountered and touched; family, friends, co-workers and the One whom he considered his most trusted associate and advisor, his beloved Heavenly Father.

Survivors include one brother Denny and wife Delois Francis of Texas.  Five sons and one daughter; Ken L. Francis of Arkansas, David M. Francis of California, Steve and wife Loni Francis of Texas, Marsha and husband Bob Batchelor of Arkansas, Terry Francis of Texas and Phil and wife Lisa Francis of Texas; fourteen grandchildren and spouses, thirty great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Edna on November 19, 2000, a precious daughter-in-law Donna (Mrs. Ken L.) Francis in July 2021, his sisters Lorene Coffey and husband Otis, Dolores Thomas and husband Gordon, Reita Draper and husband R.D. and three brothers W.D.(Dub) and wife Jenny Francis, O.A.(Moe) and wife Myrt Francis and L.B.(Barry) and wife Diana Francis.

A graveside service with Military Honors is planned for Saturday December 11th at 1:00pm at Quanah Memorial Park Cemetery immediately followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at Family Life Center, 601 King St in Quanah.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org