Francis Jones, 86, Tulsa, Oklahoma passed from this life Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Mobley-Groesbeck Funeral Service of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. A graveside service for Francis will be Friday, December 17, 2021, 10:00 am, at Fort Gibson National Cemetery with military honors presented by the U. S. Army.  Visitation for Francis will be Thursday, December 16, 2021, from noon until 8:00 pm.  The family will greet friends at the funeral home, Thursday, December 16, 2021, 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

Francis was born Saturday, December 29, 1934, Madison County Missouri near Fredericktown to his father Louis Calvin Jones and mother Mary Evelyn (Mattingly) Jones.  He was the thirteenth and last child born to his parents.  He was baptized April 1, 1935, at Saint Michael's Church, Fredericktown, Missouri.  Francis grew up in and around Fredericktown, a large population of German immigrants.

From a young age, Francis had an excellent work ethic.  At the age of 14, he was driving a combine for the richest man in the county.  Francis joined the U. S. Army in February 1954.  After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was assigned to Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska.  He achieved rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1957. Francis enjoyed his time in the army and was proud to have served his country.

After returning to Fredericktown, Francis made the move to Oklahoma.  He soon became employed by Trinity Industries working as a fabricator/welder and in the maintenance department.  After 41 years of employment, Francis retired in 1999.

Francis raised his family along the Sand Springs line before moving to Berryhill in 1974.  The Berryhill community remained his home until his passing.  As a young man, Francis enjoyed camping, swimming and penny ante poker.  On most Saturday afternoons, he could be found watching wrestling on television and cheering on his favorite wrestler, Cowboy Bill Watts.  Francis enjoyed welding in his shop and making hand cranked ice cream.  The highlight of summer was the vacation which typically included a trip to Missouri and often a trip to the mountains of Colorado.

An avid square dancer, he belonged to several clubs including Single Squares.  He enjoyed gardening and most years raised an excellent crop of watermelon, cantaloupe, corn and potatoes.  Francis also enjoyed his Farmall tractor and riding his ATV.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Mary Jones; great-grandson Daethe Anthony Ray Jones; mother of his children Mary Louise (Bayless) Jones and all his sisters and brothers.

Francis is survived by his son Robert Jones; daughters Mary Green and husband Jim and Cina Foster and husband Danny; grandchildren Michael Litterell, Daniel Foster and wife Kyla, Scott Foster and wife Stephanie, and Jobe Jones; five great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.

Condolences may be sent to the family and his memorial tribute viewed at www.mogro.co