Neil Craig "Blue" Francis

Neil Craig “Blue” Francis

Craig Francis, our beloved brother, husband, dad, grandpa, and friend, passed away on June 29, 2024 at his home in Morgan, Utah.

Craig was born on March 21, 1949, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Stuart Washington and Fae Fridal Francis.

He married Jeanne Palmer on February 21, 1971, in Elko, Nevada.

He served 21 years in the Utah Air National Guard in the 151st Air Refueling Group, Fire Crash Rescue.

Craig always loved to work. In his younger years he spent a great deal of time working on the family farm in Tremonton, Utah where he developed his strong work ethic. Later in life he became a skilled pipeline welder and inspector constructing natural gas and other petroleum transportation and processing facilities. He was well known and well respected; a legend in his craft. He enjoyed the people he worked with and had a gift for teaching and showing others.

Craig was the epitome of the American cowboy: Tough, independent, loyal, honest, and reliable. If he told you he was going to do something, he got it done. His word was iron clad.

He was a top-notch outdoorsman and loved the outdoors. He took every opportunity presented to build and enjoy a fire. He enjoyed camping, shooting, reloading, hunting, and fishing.

Craig would be described by most that knew him as truly larger than life and he enjoyed living an exciting life. He was charismatic and showed his genuine interest in people, their families, what they had going on, and how he could help. So many have looked to and learned from the example he set. Kind and gentle, Craig was able to show love by his actions and service to others. He was a good brother, husband, father, and friend.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanne, daughter Nichola (Chris) Modesitt, son Darcy K. Francis, brothers Stuart J. Francis and Tim Francis, sister Lisa (Mark) Green, five grandchildren: Carli Francis; Gavin, Ian, Eric and Kirsten Modesitt, and many friends.

Graveside service will be held on Friday July 12th at 11:00 am, South Morgan Cemetery; afterwards, a Celebration of his life will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at 10 E Young Street, Morgan, Utah.