Glenn Francis Obituary

On April 26, 2023, Glenn Frederick Francis, beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and friend, passed away at 98 years old. The youngest of 4 children, Glenn was born on August 14, 1924, in Santa Monica, CA, to John F. Francis and Mary Elizabeth (Hickman) Francis. He had fond memories of riding his bike where LAX currently sits, and drag racing on the gravel road that is now the Pacific Coast Highway. He graduated from Santa Monica High School (Samohi) in June 1942, and went to work in engineering for Douglas Aircraft. In April 1943, he received his draft notice and joined the Navy where he worked as a Quartermaster on the USS Natoma Bay, an escort carrier that traveled throughout the South Pacific during WWII. During his training, he met and fell in love with Bonita (Bonnie) Ruth Boudin, asking her to marry him after only a few dates. They quickly married and had four children, Karin Ruth, Steven David, Christina (Tina) Beth and Michael (Mike) James.

Glenn worked for and retired from Nabisco in southern California. During that time, he and Bonnie lived a full life of camping, dancing and entertaining. They tragically lost their oldest son, Steven David Francis, who was KIA in Vietnam in 1967. They celebrated the births of their first grandchildren by their daughter Karin. Glenn and Bonnie moved to Durango in 1977 and purchased Hermosa Meadows Camper Park. They were joined by two of their adult children, Tina and Mike, who participated in running the business. Glenn and Bonnie retired in 1988 and spent the next 20 years enjoying retirement, the births of more grandchildren, great-grandchildren and lots of travel in their RV.

When Bonnie passed away in 2005, after over 60 years of marriage, Glenn continued to live on his own in Durango, surrounded by a revolving mix of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends. He enjoyed tending his garden, cheering on the Broncos and the Nuggets, traveling, and was especially proud of the births of his two great-great-grandchildren. Glenn was known for his easy-going personality, his fantastic, welcoming smile and, above all, his love of his family.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife, son and one grandson. He is survived by his daughters, Karin (Peter) Rodgers of La Quinta, CA, and Tina (Glen) Hood of Durango, his son Mike (Amy) Francis of Durango, and seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A public service will be held at Hood Mortuary on Monday, May 15, at 2:00pm, and a reception will be held at 3:00pm at the Elks Ballroom in Durango. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burbank, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to La Plata County Humane Society or the Elks Lodge No. 507 in Durango.