Jimmy Ralph "Jim" Francis

JIMMY RALPH "J.R." FRANCIS, 87, of Little Rock, entered eternal life on Friday, March 24, 2017. Jim was born in Amity, Ark., on Aug. 6, 1929 to Wilford Green and Gracie Lena (Rogers) Francis. He is survived by his wife of 64 years; one daughter, Cheryl Lane (Milton) of Little Rock; grandchildren, Tiffany Coyle (Ryan) of Harrisburg, Pa.; Kelley Lane and Kimberly Lane of Little Rock; great-grandson, Hudson Francis Coyle; brother, Glen Francis (Jen) of Dallas, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews. He graduated from Little Rock High School in 1947. He drove a mail truck at night, transporting mail between Hot Springs and Little Rock, while receiving his certification in mechanical and electrical engineering from Little Rock Junior College and International Correspondence Schools. He retired as Chief of Facilities Management from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department after 39 years of service, where he was in charge of all Arkansas rest areas and highways. One of his many efforts was leading the initiative to plant Crimson Clover along Arkansas' highways, currently in full bloom. Additionally, he wrote a book on herbicide application requirements and a mowing equipment instruction manual, both are still in use today. After retirement, he joined FEMA, where his greatest accomplishment was leading an inspection team in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Throughout his career, he owned several companies including a heating and air business (notably, outfitting the majority of houses throughout Leawood). He was an excellent draftsman, and spent endless hours drawing plans on his drafting table, developing electrical and mechanical designs for numerous buildings across the state, including North Little Rock Baptist Hospital and dormitories at the University of Arkansas. He was a man's man -- tall and strong, often clad in his worn leather bomber, with handfuls of peppermints tucked away in his pockets -- and yet, sincere and gentle, always prepared with the right thing to say, the softest shoulder to cry on and the best batch of warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies. He loved square dancing, and served with his wife as co-president of the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation in 1983. He could "fix" anything. He built a hand-crafted home for his family, refurbished an antique, leather-lined Mercedes, rebuilt a Chris-Craft motorboat resurrected from the bottom of the lake, made rich vats of red wine, constructed Tinkertoys, Lionel Trains and Lincoln Logs on the living room floor, and especially mended the bruised knees and broken hearts of his granddaughters, who affectionately referred to him as "G-Daddy." On Sunday nights, he went out to dinner with his family, where he never let a good steak or scotch on the rocks go to waste. On summer weekends, he took his family to Lake Ouachita, where he water skied on long wooden skis, played a mean hand of Progressive Rummy and whipped up the creamiest batches of homemade ice cream. He collected cars and motorcycles (both of which he drove -- fast) and was the pilot and owner of multiple airplanes. He traveled with his family to many vacations in his beloved Beechcraft Queen Air, which he piloted alongside his son-in-law. He was well traveled, with no shortage of adventure stories, many of which starred his big brother, Glen, who shares his love for flying, and is infamously said to have flown him under the Broadway Bridge. He tended to bountiful gardens, and introduced the whole family to the peach orchard, where he regularly picked armfuls of perfectly ripened peaches that he generously shared. He had a knack for making handmade biscuits, frying little smokies on the griddle, finding the perfect time to deliver a homemade pound cake, and satisfying the cravings of his sweet tooth. He was the husband to his loving bride, whom he met while repairing her family's Singer sewing machine, and the cornerstone of a progressive family of independent women, in whom he instilled his can-do attitude and strong-willed personality. He was a role model. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He could do anything he set his mind to. He attended the First Church of the Nazarene, and was a prime example of a good and faithful servant. He passed away of old age, having lived a good life, under the care of the good Lord, surrounded by family in the comfort of his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, F. Vesto Francis; sister, Ruthie Von Collenberg and infant baby brother. Heartfelt thanks go to Nurse David, Chaplain Deb, CNA Phyllis and the staff of Arkansas Hospice, as well as his caregiver, Ellen, who provided the best care and warm-heartedness his family could have asked for. A private funeral was held on Tuesday, March 28 with family, where we celebrated the life of a great man, and the best husband, father, G-Daddy, brother and uncle around, and honored an inspirational role model, whose legacy is remembered, cherished and loved. Please sign Jim's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.