Darwin Ray Francis, 86, Attica, Farmer/Stockman, Agribusiness Leader and Cooperative System Activist passed away peacefully on October 8, surrounded by his family. Darwin was born in the Galloway Hospital in Anthony, to Ray & Evelyn Francis June 8, 1936. According to notes written by Evelyn in his baby book, he was very strong, and could crawl by 5 months and was walking at 10 months.
That early strength seemed to set the stage for the rest of his life. He rented his first 160 acres of wheat and began farming on his own at age 17. Darwin attended Harper County Schools and graduated from Harper High School in 1955. He was involved in 4-H and FFA through high school.
He attended Kansas State University & received a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1958. While attending KSU, he worked for the KSU Beef Barns, was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, ARMY ROTC, the KSU Meats Judging Team and Collegiate 4-H. While serving on the Barn Dance Committee his senior year, he met a sassy red head named Patricia Todd from Altamont, Kansas & they began dating. Several months later, Darwin proposed & told Pat she could either have an engagement ring, or him….she chose Darwin & they were married October 25, 1958 in Altamont, Kansas.
After their marriage, Darwin & Pat were stationed in El Paso, Texas where Darwin completed his military service. Two years later, the couple returned to Harper County where that original quarter of land beckoned & they began farming. Over the next few years, the farm and their family grew, when in 1961 they welcomed a daughter, Carol and in 1962, a son Jon joined their family. The family of 4…plus many young “hired hands” from the Attica & Harper communities, worked together and built a cattle and wheat farming operation just outside of Attica, Kansas that successfully provided a living for their family for the next 60 years.
Darwin’s work ethic and desire to elevate the voice of the wheat producer in local and regional cooperative systems was a key motivator behind his life-long advocacy focused on sustaining the farmer’s voice in a strong Cooperative System. In addition to being named Star Young Farmer of Kansas at age 30 in 1966, He was one of the youngest Board members elected to the Anthony Co-op board of directors by his election that same year. He continued this local leadership for several decades. In 1974 he was elected by his peers to serve as District 6 board member to the Union Equity Cooperative Exchange based in Enid, Oklahoma. He went on to serve as Vice President in 1983 and President in 1984..
Darwin served as a founding advisory council member of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center located at KSU in Manhattan, Kansas. He was especially proud of securing a key donation in 1984 which served as a foundation in launching the center. The Arthur Capper Cooperative Center (ACCC) is a public-private partnership between the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University and the Kansas Cooperative Council.
Darwin took pride in his stewardship of the land as a custom farmer and building strong relationships with multiple generations of land owners. “It was always an honor to look at the fields with Darwin Francis,” said Karen E Robinson when learning of Darwin’s passing recently. “Goodbye to someone who taught me most of what little I know about farming. I think that includes the attitudes of farming: very practical, with a perspective to how things had changed & still might (do you know how the yield on corn has changed!?), and a clear view of what you can change / can’t change / might be able to change if only it would rain.”
Darwin was predeceased by his parents Ray and Evelyn and his brother Marlan. Darwin is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Carol Bush (Don Schilling) Wichita, son Jon Francis (Tammy), Kingman, his sister Joyce Waggoner, Tribune and brother Gene Francis (Connie) of Wichita.
His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great source of pride. He loved learning of their exploits, hosting them for “Life Lessons” at the farm, traveling with them to KSU Bowl Games and spent many hours traveling across Kingman and Pratt County to ball games, tennis matches, concerts and ‘showing up’ for them in acts of service which showed them he cared.
Grandchildren include: Anne Marie Bush, Kingman; Justin Bush (Katie), Wichita; Emily Bush, Newton; Kayla Fobes, Kingman and Jagger Francis, Kingman. Great-grandchildren include Felicity, Malakhi, Carter, Ferris and Elliotte.
Relationships and good times spent with friends and family are what mattered most to Darwin in his life. To honor his wishes to “host a party & have a good time. Tell stories and jokes.”
Darwin’s family will host a Celebration of Life in his honor October 29 from 1-3pm at the Kingman Activity Center in Kingman. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Darwin’s life of leadership, laughter and love.