Clifton Nathaniel Francis, Jr. died October 17, 2008 after a long illness. He was born on February 26, 1937 in Bogalusa, Louisiana and was the son of Clifton Nathaniel Francis and Mary Susanna Blake Francis. He graduated from Bogalusa High School in 1954.
Cliff attended Tulane University and Lamar University, graduating with bachelor's and master's degrees in English from Lamar University. He taught English at Sam Houston State University and the University of Kansas.
Cliff married Martha Cecilia McMurray of Silsbee, Texas in 1960. They had three children: Nat Francis of Bloomington, Indiana, Mary Beth McClain of Shepherd, Texas and Melinda Teer of Sour Lake, Texas. Martha died in 1995. Cliff married Donna McCarthy of Groves, Texas in 1996.
Cliff is also survived by his wife Donna Francis of Groves, his mother Mary Francis of Silsbee, two brothers, Wayne Francis of Ojai, California and James Francis of Brooksville, Florida, six grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Cliff Francis was the Director of the University of Kansas Extension Center at Garden City, Kansas from 1968 through 1979. He served as Director of Records and Registration at Lamar University from 1980 through 1996.
Cliff also served in the US Naval Reserve for 34 years. Reaching the rank of Commander, he was primarily involved in naval intelligence.
Affectionately known for his quick wit and bad puns, Cliff enjoyed hunting, fishing, and ham radio. His radio call sign was W0MBP. Over the years, Cliff was active in the Rotary Club in Garden City, Kansas and the Lion's Club in Silsbee, Texas. He was previously a member of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Garden City, Kansas and First United Methodist Church in Silsbee. He has been a member of the Woodcrest Baptist Church in Groves, Texas the past few years.
Funeral services for Cliff will be 2:00 pm Monday, October 20, 2008 at Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee with interment following in Resthaven Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 pm Sunday at the funeral home.
