Obituary of Lt.COL Howard C. Francis

LtCOL (USAF Retired) Howard C. Francis, 92, of Niceville died Sunday morning March 2, 2008 in The Fort Walton Beach Medical Center following a short illness. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 6, 2008 at the Blue Water Baptist Church with the Reverend Haywood Day officiating, full military rites will be rendered following the services at the Church. Visitation with the family receiving friends will be in the Blue Water Baptist Church on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P.M and one hour before service time on Thursday. LtCOL Francis was born in Taunton, Mass. October 11, 1915. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 entering flight training. He served during WWII as a leader flying 26 missions over Germany in his B-17, the Pistol Packing Mama. He returned to the United States as a flight instructor in B-17's at McDill Air Force Base. He later transitioned into the B-52's being assigned to the Strategic Air Command flying during the Cold War as a Commander. He received several decorations including The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal. After his retirement in 1964 he made his home in Oklahoma and Utah. Following those moves he made his home in Niceville, Florida in 1979. He was an avid golfer shooting under his age with several holes in one. He attended Blue Water Baptist Church where he had many friends. He was pre-deceased by his wives, Eleanor Burns Francis and Hassie Porter Francis. He is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Judy and John Bellome, Lawrence, Kansas; Jan and Steve Kuykendall, Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Two Step Daughters and their Husbands: Nancy and Bill Peat, Elkhart, Indiana; Judy and Adrian Holman, Ozark, AL; One Stepson and his Wife: Lee and Nancy Coats, Springfield, Missouri. One Sister: Miss Janet Francis, Taunton, Mass. Grandchildren: Kimberly & Robert Del Popolo, Elizabeth Francis Bellome, John Anthony Bellome, LCDR Kerry Kuykendall, USN; Brent and Salvatrice Kuykendall, Craig Kuykendall, Lisa Simmons; Matt and Katie Peat; Scott and Tonya Peat. Six Great Grandchildren also survive. The family request the omission of flowers and suggest memorials be made to the Blue Water Bay Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 5189, Niceville, Florida 32578. Service Information