James Edward Francis

James Edward Francis, 93, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2022, in Dayton, Ohio. Jim was born September 29, 1928, to Robert and Ruth (Curp) Francis in Dayton, Ohio. A life long Daytonian, Jim graduated from Wilbur Wright High School, class of 1946. He met Phyllis Centers at Dayton Stencil Works Co., and they married on March 20, 1948. Jim joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, 1952-53. Together Jim and Phyllis raised 4 daughters. Jim learned the electrical trade through his family's business, Francis Electric. Jim worked in the automotive industry at Protective Treatments, Inc., followed by Grandview Hospital where he retired in 1990. Jim and Phyllis enjoyed retirement years in Sarasota and Brandenton, Florida before returning to Dayton.

Jim was preceded in death by wife Phyllis (Centers) Francis, daughter Debra Bailey, parents Robert and Ruth Francis, siblings Robert Francis, Virginia Knoepfle, Carol Hertlein and Donna Seaboldt.

Jim is survived by daughters: Denise (Dennis) Blake, Danette (Tim) Tritch, Diane Peters; a sister, Joanne Roberts, grandchildren: Beth, Jeffrey and Brian Burdine, Arthur L. Jr. and Elizabeth Peters, Caitlin and Francis Tritch, and Charles and Anna Blake; great grandchildren: Margret, Dominik and Lily Wheeler, David Magnaterra Jr., Hunter Whitt, Madeline, Dayna and Arthur L. Peters III, Karl Burdine and Conner and Kaylee Owen.

Jim was a member of St. John's Lodge #13, a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton and High Twelve. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ and the former Memorial Baptist Church, where he enjoyed using his gift of a tenor voice singing in both church choirs.

Graveside Burial Service and Military Honors, Monday, January 31, 2022, 2:30pm, Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, 8200 West National Rd, New Carlisle, OH 45344. Messages of sympathy can be sent to: Diane Peters, 2650 Wayland Ave, Dayton OH 45420; Denise Blake, 824 Jamieson Rd, Lutherville MD 21093; or Danette Tritch, 1281 Gold Hill Mesa Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80905.

Memorials to: St. John's United Church of Christ, 515 E. 3rd St, Dayton OH 45402 or The Dayton Foundation, James Francis Memorial Fund, Suite 100, 1401 S. Main St., Dayton, OH 45409 or

https://www.daytonfoundation.org/ccaserv.html

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