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John E. Francis

October 28, 2022
Logan, UT

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Francis, John E 6/8/1940 - 10/28/2022 Logan, Utah John Edwin Francis, Jr. was born June 8, 1940, in Washington, DC. He died peacefully at home in Logan, Utah on Friday October 28th, 2022. The oldest of four children born to John Edwin Francis, Sr. and Mary Passerini Francis, John grew up in Washington DC with his sisters Mary-Louise (ML) Gregory, Toni Francis, and his brother Jim Francis. His two sisters survive him; his brother Jim died earlier in 2022. John graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1958 and received his undergraduate and medical school degrees from Georgetown University in 1962 and 1966. John met his wife Linda Nave Harrison Francis, a registered nurse, in 1960; they were married in Alexandria, VA in 1962. John and Linda had three daughters, Mary Francis, Margaret (Meg) Francis Cairns, and Anne Francis Bayless. John started his internal medicine internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, but was called to serve in VietNam in 1968, when Mary and Meg were infants. While he was serving in the Army, he attained the rank of Major, and was awarded the Bronze Star. Upon his return, the family moved to the Atlanta area, where John completed his internal medicine residency, and was a cardiology fellow at Emory University. In 1974 John moved with his family to Kalamazoo, MI, where he co-founded the cardiology practice that would later become the Heart Institute of Michigan. During their time in Kalamazoo, John and Linda were very active in supporting the arts, especially music. Even after leaving the Kalamazoo area, he continued to give back to the local arts community, and in 2011 he established The Francis Family Endowment to provide lasting financial support to the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony. In 1993 John took a teaching position at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, working closely with fellows in their cardiology training programs. He was also Chief of the Consultative Cardiology Service and Director of the EKG Department. Working with students was his first love, and he was a much-admired teacher who felt it important to recognize and nurture promising young cardiology fellows. Each year the recipient of the John Francis, M.D. Cardiology Fellowship Service Award is chosen by the graduating fellows within the Department of Cardiology. Candidates for this award are those who make significant contributions to excellence in patient care, and through their actions help to create a positive environment for fellows in which to learn. In 2007 John and Linda returned to Washington DC, where John was proud to teach medical students at his alma mater, Georgetown University Medical Center. The couple spent time reconnecting with DC family and friends, and John's much-prized Georgetown Hoyas. In 2016 John and Linda moved to Logan, UT to be close to their daughter Anne, son-in-law Brant Bayless, and grandsons, Harrison and Edwin. In Logan, John enjoyed attending concerts of all kinds, and together he and Linda contributed to a myriad of community organizations. John valued education and the arts for all, and was active in supporting both throughout his professional career. A long-time donor to Georgetown University, he helped fund the Davis Performing Arts Center, which opened on campus in 2005, and was a lifelong booster for the Hoyas Basketball program. He has also been a loyal donor to the Fort Lauderdale Children's Ballet Theatre, of which his granddaughters Addison and Emilia are proud company members. In Logan, John and Linda established several endowments to support students in need at Utah State University. Music in particular brought him great joy, whether buying season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, attending recitals by his children and grandchildren, or just dancing up a storm at one of the New Year's Eve parties he and Linda hosted when they were living in Kalamazoo. John is survived by his wife Linda, sisters Toni and ML, daughters and sons-in-law Mary (Christopher Burns), Meg (Kevin Cairns) and Anne (Brant Bayless) and his four grandchildren, Addison Cairns, Emilia Cairns, Harrison Bayless, and Edwin Bayless. A memorial gathering for all who wish to celebrate John's life is tentatively planned for the late spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra.. Contributions can be arranged by emailing lfletcher@kjso.org or calling 269-349-7557.