Richard William Francis

Richard William Francis

March 11, 1968 – July 30, 2023

Richard “Rick” Francis, 55, passed away doing something he loved – fishing in the Pacific Ocean.

He was born to James Henry Francis and Mary Louise Francis, in Fairview Heights, IL and was the youngest of six siblings. The family relocated to Brea, CA in 1979 where he graduated from Brea-Olinda High School in 1986. Following high school, he entered Military service for the United States Navy, attending the prestigious Navy Nuclear Field Program in Florida. He met and married the love of his life, Kimberlee Peterson Francis, before leaving for Florida, and they were quickly engaged and married on February 13, 1988. Following a brief relocation to Idaho Falls, ID, he and Kim settled in San Diego where he served as a USN Submariner, until he was honorably discharged in 1992. They returned to their Orange County roots, eventually settling in and raising their two children, Amanda Marie Francis and Jonathan James Francis, back in Brea.

Rick was an avid fisherman – lake or ocean, there wasn’t a fish he didn’t want to catch! His annual September camping/fishing trips to the Sierras with his brothers and son were a highlight every year. And every trip he took with friends and family usually included a fishing excursion!

He was a quiet man who often relaxed while tackling difficult puzzles at the dining table with friends and family. And as an obsessive reader, he also never left home without a book. He had an incredibly complex mind, self-teaching himself everything from how to program computers to making beer and cooking. He was constantly learning and would dig into a new interest with gusto. He built a successful career in technology and was highly respected by his coworkers for his talent and commitment to his work.

For a man whose mind was so complex, he was incredibly adept with his hands. His kitchen is filled with every cooking gadget possible, collected over many years as his love for cooking and baking grew. He particularly enjoyed cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts for his family and his outrageously sugar-filled baked goods and desserts are legendary. He became an avid beer maker and had just purchased a BBQ smoker which he was enthusiastically experimenting with. There was nothing he enjoyed more than sitting down with friends and family over some great food and wine.

And how he loved to joke! He didn’t speak up much but when he did it was with a hilarious zinger! Everyone he knew received endless texts with funny pictures and videos he found online.

He lived life fully with Kim by his side, from the beginning they were each other’s person and rarely were seen without the other. They enjoyed going to the movies often and brunch was a favorite weekend event! And he instilled in his kids a craving for great food as well. They were always investigating new restaurants and experimenting with cooking new cuisines together.

With all that he loved to do, there’s nothing he loved more than Kim and the kids. They were his world, and he was theirs. His intelligence, humor and zest for life will live on with Amanda and Jonathan.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; James in 1994 and Mary Lou in 2020. Leaving to cherish his memory are his brothers, sister, and sister-in-law: James Francis (Melissa) of Williamsburg, MI; Mary Francis of Brea, CA; John Francis of Brea, CA; Thomas (Jana) Francis of Copperas Cove, TX; Donald (Susan) Francis of Mount Pleasant, SC; and Samantha Peterson Clow of Yorba Linda, CA.

A celebration of life will take place in Fullerton, CA on Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 2-4pm. Please contact Sari Gallagher at (714) 401-6806 for address information.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rick’s favorite charity, the Disabled American Veterans at www.vfa.org and include his name in your submission.