Frank Francis

Frank Douglas “Frankie” Francis, 71, of Hot Springs passed away Thursday March 14, 2013. He was born May 13, 1941 to the late Marion Petefish Francis and Douglas Coy Francis in Arkadelphia. Frank attended Lakeside School from 1952-1958. During his, Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years he played half-back and quarterback with a record-setting football team that accumulated thirty-three consecutive wins. His Junior year he was recognized as an All-District, All-State and Honorable Mention All-American Quarterback. Frank attended Ouachita Baptist University from 1959-1963. He received a' four year scholarship and was a starting player all four years. In his senior year, he was the leading rusher in the A.I.C. until a severe knee injury terminated play in mid season. While attending O.B.U. he received outstanding leadership from Head Football Coach, Buddy Benson. Frank was responsible for the organization and completion of the Tiger Relays. Also, his coaching responsibilities came early. During his practice teaching assignment at Hope High School, Frank was in charge of the Senior High Track Team. The team scored a 4AA championship. Beginning in 1963 Frank was the Assistant Football and Head Track Coach at Hope High School and Hot Springs High School, and the Head Football Coach at Cross County High School. His football responsibilities under Head Coach Ben Burton and later Tommy Brasher consisted of coaching the backs on offense and linebackers on defense. During those early years, highlights consisted on an 11-1 win-loss record at Hope High School in 1964. Relocating in Hot Springs High School with Coach Ben Burton in 1965, Franks' Trojan Track Team was conference champs in 1965, 1966, and 1967, highlighted by recording the fastest relay, times in the state in 1966. Coaching at Hot Springs High School was a rewarding experience for Frank. He enjoyed the distinct pleasure of coaching Cliff Harris, who-later became an "All Pro" player for the Dallas Cowboys. In 1969 Frank became the Head Football and Track Coach at Cross County High School. It was only then that football was introduced to the community. Although the win-loss column did not indicate the quality of play, a tremendous amount of good came from those- first two struggling years at C.C.H.S. A number of those young players went on to contribute to the A.I.C. League. Cross County High School is now a very strong and competitive football school. During his coaching pilgrimage, Frank coached many productive young men too numerous to list. In 1972 Frank began work for World Book/Childcraft International, Inc. The first two years with World Book found Frank earning his spurs, rights and respect from the company. His time was utilized in personal selling, recruiting and developing sales organizations in Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. In 1972, Frank was promoted to a top level Branch Manager position in Macon, Georgia where he was Administrator over four Division Managers, thirty District Managers and fifteen hundred World Book representatives. His job description consisted of planning all promotions, motivation of sales personnel, conducting training classes and generating sales for the company. Frank has conducted seminars on the following subjects: selling, time management, motivation, and psychology of human nature. He has addressed audiences ranging from fifty up to three thousand attendees in the United States, Spain, Africa, Canada, Austria and South America. He has authored and prepared literature for the company ranging from pamphlets to sales manuals. In 1982 Frank made the difficult decision to resign from World Book. He returned to Garland County in Arkansas to re-associate himself with secondary education with an objective of once again becoming a high school football coach. In 1984, Frank became the G.C.E. coordinator at Lakeside High School. The G.C.E. students presented their "outstanding teacher of the year award" to Frank for his work with them in 1984. In 1989 Frank became an assistant basketball coach at Hot Springs High School. In 1990 Frank became a football coach at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His responsibilities included the following: Hall resident in the football dormitory, coaching the offensive running backs and coaching the defensive secondary. Since 1996, Frank has been the head football coach at Palestine-Wheatley High School, where he started a football program for the School District. The first year back in a 3-A Conference play, his Patriots compiled a 7-3 record and went to the State playoffs. In 1997, the Patriots went 8-2 and returned to the playoffs for a second consecutive time. Franks' deep-seated belief and philosophy concerning the game of football goes far beyond the win-loss records. It can be summed up by his own quote, "Football is the only team sport remaining in the public school system that allows a student to experience and learn about those inner qualities, priorities, personality skills and. character builders that contribute to coping and succeeding in the real game, "The Game of Life." Survivors include his wife, Nona Engle Francis; one son, Rory Francis of Hot Springs; one stepson, Keith George of Arlington, Texas; one granddaughter, Lauren Francis and one step grandson, Colton George. Visitation will be 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Sunday at Hot Springs Funeral Home. Services will be 10:00 AM Monday at Trinity Church with Pastor Bob Thornton officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers are Rory Francis, Carroll Noble, Bryan Albright, Fred Loyd, Darrell Smith and Frank Spainhour. Honorary pallbearers are Roy Rowe, Bert Creasey, Dave Gould, Ken Turner, Ron Chesser, LaMar Watkins, Charles Sanders, Jack Yeager and Arkansas Hospice for all their special care.