Robert A. Francis, 80, of Dos Palos passed away Thursday, September 9, 2004 at Memorial Hospital in Los Banos.
Mr. Francis lived in Dos Palos for the last 11 years. He was a Hollister resident for 69 years prior to moving.
He was born August 28, 1924 in Hollister. He is the son of Arthur and Agnes (Joice) Francis. After graduating from San Benito High School, he went to college for two years. He worked as a truck driver for twenty years for a propane company. He was also the director and announcer for the San Benito County Saddle and Horse Show at Bolado Park for 30 years. He rode and participated in many of the rodeos in different parts of the country and won many silver buckles. He was a pretty good cowboy during his youth.
Bob loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He appreciated God’s beauty and nature in the mountain areas. He enjoyed hunting and trips to visit his son Mark at his ranch in the Pinnacles. There he spent time watching deer, raccoons and wild turkeys roam around the hills. He was supportive to and very proud of his son Art, a teacher and coach at Clovis middle school. Bob will be missed in many ways.
Bob met Olene in 1945. The were very good friends. After they both became widowed, they married on August 18, 1993 and shared their golden years together.
Bob is survived by his wife Olene of Dos Palos; his sons Arthur R. Francis and wife, Dorothy, of Fresno, and Mark Francis of Paicines; sister Shirley Jean Cerrato of Hollister; and grandchildren Mitchell and Savannah Francis of Fresno. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7:30pm on Monday, September 13 at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel. The Rosary will follow at 7:30pm. The interment will be private. Whitehurst Funeral Chapel is available at 209-392-3481. A memorial service for Bob will be held in Hollister at a later date.
