Michael Gerard Francis

Michael Gerard Francis, 38, entered into rest peacefully surrounded by his family on August 5, 2020. He was born on August 14, 1981 in Independence, MO to Ray and Cindy Francis. In 1999, he selected his confirmation name Leo.  Upon his graduation in 2000, he enlisted into the United States Navy as a corpsman. During his military career he enjoyed time in Okinawa, Japan and was then stationed in Jacksonville, Fl where he met the love of his life, Charlotte. During that time, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. He was extremely proud of his service for our beautiful country and was honorably discharged in 2006.

He then went on the continue his surgical tech career, having worked in several different operating rooms. He eventually ended up working in eye surgery for over eight years.

Michael enjoyed golfing, adventuring to the natural springs in Florida, throwing the football around with the neighborhood kids, grilling and even checked skydiving off of his bucket list.

His most proud achievements were his children. He truly loved being a father. Not only to his own kids, but he lovingly got the nickname "Padre" by all of the "adopted" kiddos that loved coming to his home.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of seventeen years Charlotte; children, Hayley Widell-Searls, Kelsey, Aubrey and Leo Francis; parents, Ray and Cindy (Goldsby)Francis; sisters, Amy (Ray) Ottman and Sara (Craig) Zwahlen; grandmother, Joann Goldsby-Williams; nephews, Sean and Noah Michael Ottman, Kyle Jr., Keagan and Gage Lundgren, Grayson Tumlin, Parker and Carter LaFontaine and Elijah Lingenfelter; nieces Olivia Zwahlen and Adelyn Lingenfelter. He also had special bonds in this life that include Michael Gomez, Travis Griffin, Alfonso Compres, Karen Kelly and Trevor Studstill, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins and wonderful friends. He is preceded in death by his great grandmother "Grandma Walky"; grandparents, Leo Goldsby, Bill Williams and Nellie Francis-Resch; and nieces Lily and Annie Zwahlen.

Michael was charming and charismatic, but while serving his country, he sustained scars that were not visible on the outside. He battled severely with PTSD. Although, he tried to the best of his ability, he couldn't overcome the demons that he brought home. He was grateful for the opportunities that the Wounded Warrior Prioject afforded him. With that being stated, memorials may be made to the WWP at

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

A celebration of Michael's life will be held at a later date.

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