Larry "Pinky" Dale Francis

He was born to Acy (J.D.) Francis and Alta (Ann) Long on January 13, 1954. He worked at Louisville Scrap (now River Metals) for 36 years as a burner, using a cutting torch to cut up railroad cars. He spent many weeks traveling out of town training crews in train derailment clean ups.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hanging out with the guys at the local bars, shooting pool, darts and craps, with many a Bud Light in hand. Bowling, fishing and hunting were also his passions. He enjoyed family trips to Myrtle Beach. He had an extraordinary love for animals of all kinds. Over time he cared for chickens, guineas, horses (Ginger), a smelly goat (goatie), cats (too many to name) and dogs (Pudgee, Cupid, Tiny, Tiny and Tiny, Sasha, Tramp, Tipee and many, many more over the years). Some animals found their way to Larry (aka Dr. Doolittle). A puma, bear cub, donkey and even an emu dropped in at the Francis home a time or two. On one particular day, Larry had gone to the junk yard looking for parts to work on his truck. He didn’t find the part, but he did find a duck. This duck had been left behind by its momma, so Larry couldn’t bear to leave it alone. When he brought it home, he set up a pool and built him some steps because he couldn’t fly. As days went on, Larry tried to teach Duckie how to fly by running in the backyard, flapping his arms yelling “Fly, Duckie, Fly!", but Duckie never got the hang of it. A short time later, it was discovered this was no duck, it was an illegal Canadian goose. It was then Larry thought it would be best to drive Duckie down to Nolin Lake and release him in the middle of the night. He wanted to make sure Duckie would be in company of other feathered friends and not be alone. Larry was never without the love of an animal. For the last 9 years and throughout the progression of his disease, his beloved Boston terriers, Quincy and Cocoa provided unwavering love and comfort in his last days to lead him home.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents JD and Ann, stepdad Richard, brothers Jerry, David and Rondal and a sister Judy.

Left to cherish his memory is his devoted wife Lynn of 38 years, sons Larry Jr. (Jenny) and Jamie (Marchana), granddaughter Clarry, grandsons Dre and Jackson, fur babies Quncy and Cocoa, sisters Janice (Louie), Sandy and Sarah, brother-in-law Jimmy (Theresa) and sister-in-law Brenda, along with several nieces and nephews, family and friends.

During the last year of his 7-year battle with Alzheimer’s, he was blessed with the caregiving of Dana and Marchana who brought love and laughter into his days. Most recently Hospice also provided great comfort and care to him and the family.

Visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home, located at 306 College St., Elizabethtown, KY. The visitation is scheduled for March 1, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and on March 2, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

The funeral service will take place at Brown Funeral Home on March 2, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Larry Dale Francis will be laid to rest at Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at 4623 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY, 40213, United States. The final resting place service is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 1:00 pm.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association-Help Fight Alzheimer’s or Hospice in honor of Larry.