Carter James Francis
Marriages
Patricia Welfl - November 24, 1956
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - November 30, 2008
Former Steamboat Springs resident Dr. Carter James Francis, of Rapid City, S.D., died Nov. 23, 2008, after a brief illness. He was 76.
Carter James Francis was born Jan. 20, 1932, in Belle Fourche, S.D., the son of Dr. Charles V. and Vera (Blackstone) Francis. At the age of 6, he moved with his family to Kadoka, S.D., where he attended elementary school. In 1945, the family moved to Philip, S.D., where Carter graduated from high school in 1950 and then attended the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1954. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 27, 1954, and he served as a medical specialist in Germany for two years before being honorably discharged on July 2, 1956.
Carter was married to Patricia Welfl in Philip, S.D., on Nov. 24, 1956. They then moved to Chicago, where he received his dentistry degree from Loyola University in 1961. After graduating, Dr. Francis moved his family to Steamboat Springs in the fall of 1961 and opened a dental office there, serving the community for 14 years. It was in Steamboat that they raised their two sons and enjoyed the mountains, skiing, fishing and camping. Music always was a big part of his life, and he loved playing his pipe organ and "rattling the windows" daily until his death. He also was blessed with a beautiful singing voice that he shared regularly in his church, as well as in numerous local music productions when the family lived in Steamboat.
In 1975, the family moved to Dallas, where Dr. Carter attended Baylor University and received his specialist degree in endodontics. They relocated to Denver in 1977, and he opened an office there for several years. After getting divorced, he subsequently moved to Rapid City, S.D., and opened the first endodontic clinic in western South Dakota in 1987.
Dr. Francis is survived by his two sons and their children: Carter Francis Jr. and his daughter, Kaylan, and Joe Francis, his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Jack, all of Denver; his twin sister, Janie Kennedy, of Philip, S.D.; brother, Charles Francis, and his wife, Dixie, of North Platte, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved their "Uncle Jim."
Dr. Francis was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Rapid City, S.D., with Father Dan Juelfs as celebrant, with a reception to follow at the church.
Interment with military honors by the Sturgis Honor Guard will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Music Fund at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Keystone, S.D.
Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip, S.D. An online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome.com.
