Terry (Terence Joseph) Francis was born on June 17, 1949, in St. Louis, the first of four boys in his immediate family. When he passed away at home in St. Louis the day after his 76th birthday, he was first in the hearts of an extended family – one he made the center of his world, quietly performing acts of service so faithfully and consistently that none of them ever had to wonder how much he loved them.

He is survived by Karen (Bitza), his joyful and much less-quiet wife of 52 years; children Jennifer Dix, Rebecca (Daniel) Ballard, and Douglas (Kim) Francis; grandchildren Logan, Madden and Ellyn Dix (Alton, Illinois), Harper and Garrison Ballard (Arlington, Virginia), and Susan and Douglas Francis (Athens, Ohio); brother Ken (Kathy) Francis; and his many nieces and nephews, players he coached, and friends of his kids, who have great memories of Uncle Terry, Coach Francis, and Papa Fran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Alberta; brothers Albert (Vicki) and Dennis (Mary) Francis; and as many squirrels as he could get a nerf football on.

Terry grew up in St. Ann, and attended school in the Ritenour School District. The highlights of Terry's four years at Ritenour High School were related to baseball – he was a member of the Missouri high school state championship baseball team in 1967 and the American Legion state championship team that same year. The highlight of Terry's 7th grade year was meeting his future wife, Karen – though he didn't know it at the time. They didn't start dating until a meet-cute encounter on side-by-side escalators inside the Sears at Northwest Plaza shortly after college.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Terry began a long career at McDonnell Douglas (which later became Boeing and IBM) and supporting Jennifer, Rebecca and Douglas in all of their pursuits – from coaching his ball players' baseball and softball teams, to working backstage for his dancers in the Gateway Ballet of St. Louis, to planting daffodils with his Girl Scouts, to never missing a performance or sporting event in which his Pattonville Pirates performed or competed.

He retired at the perfect time to pursue what wound up being his true calling: being a PawPaw. Known as "the baby whisperer" to his family and with the patience of a saint for the toddler and preschool set, Terry spent the best years of his life being his grandkids' No. 1 fan. He could often be seen in his bright yellow Lands End squall jacket cheering and tightening skates at hockey rinks, alongside baseball, softball, football, and soccer fields, in basketball gyms, at dance recitals and Irish dancing performances, throughout every pool, playground and park in a 30-mile radius, or getting the detailed recaps of all the far-away adventures over the phone. And always with plenty of extra coats, hats and gloves – for warmth or a game of catch (for righties or the family's many lefties) – for anyone who might want to join in the fun.

He will be so very missed, and his family will think of him every time they, in turn, perform acts of service for others. And also whenever they pass an IHOP, enjoy "a glass of world famous chocolate milk" or a dirty martini with extra olives, or take the long way home.

The family will be holding a memorial visitation and funeral service on Monday, June 23, at Collier's Funeral Home (3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St. Ann, Missouri, 63074). Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at Noon.