John Warren Francis Jr.

John Warren Francis Jr. passed away on April 12, 2025, due to a pulmonary embolism. He had recently turned 79 years old. John was born in Shamokin, PA, on March 18, 1946, the first-born child of John Warren Francis Sr. and Vera Ellen Francis {Mannich}. John is survived by his wife Kay {Glasscock} Boring, OR; his four siblings Susan Gaidys (Al), Porter TX; Sally Walton (Brian), Chapin, SC; Timothy Francis (Jeri), Salem OH; Terri Ann McLawhorn (David), Chocowinity, NC and numerous nieces and nephews.

John grew up with his family in the LaSalle section of Niagara Falls, NY. He graduated from LaSalle Sr. High School in June 1964. He went on to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK. While a student there John fell in love with Kay and they married on December 16, 1966. By May 1969 he had earned bachelor degrees in psychology, sociology, and physical education, as well as a teaching certificate. They moved to Pullman, WA in January 1970 to attend Washington State University and pursue graduate studies. In June 1971 John graduated with a masters degree in physical education. In August 1971 they landed teaching positions and moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Prior to being hired to teach at Stranahan High School, he taught elementary PE, middle school health, special Ed PE and was the sole PE teacher at a small private school. He was already coaching the Dragons football and basketball teams and eventually was hired to teach science at Stranahan. In 1984 John and Kay returned to the Pacific Northwest moving to Gresham, OR where John began teaching science and coaching the Bruins of Sam Barlow High School. They later moved a short distance to Boring, OR where they built a mountaintop home with a majestic view of Mt Hood. John officially retired in 2007; however, he continued to serve as a volunteer basketball coach until his passing.

John was committed to his craft and was a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He routinely attended the annual NABC conference that was held alongside the NCAA Men’s Final Four Tournament, to keep current on issues and trends in the coaching community. Beyond his professional interests, John was an avid reader, a life-long learner, and well-read in a wide variety of topics. He enjoyed writing, especially his annual Christmas letter. He loved traveling, camping, rafting and he often hired former players to work with him on their wooded property. John visited all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, New Zealand and Roatan.

John established the Stranahan Educational Endowment Fund (SEEF) in Florida to financially assist selected Stranahan graduates with their higher education expenses. In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to SEEF. To donate visit www.stranahanfund.com, choose donate and scroll to the bottom. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, May 18th, at 3:00p.m. at Mt Hood Center, Boring, OR.