Chester Francis

Chester “Chet” Paul Francis, 96, died February 25, 2018 at Santa Marta retirement community, Olathe, KS surrounded by his family. Visitation will be March 5, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McGilley State Line Chapel 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO. The funeral service will be Tuesday, March 6 at 10:30 a.m. at McGilley State Line Chapel. Burial will be at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Variety Club at http://varietykc.org. To leave online condolences please go to www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Chester Francis is the last of the “Greatest Generation” that survived and prospered through the great depression, World War II and growth of America. Chester was born May 15th, 1921, in Chicago IL, to Frank and Edna Francis and was the youngest of five boys-Tom, George, Lou and Eddie. He grew up in Chicago working with his brothers in their father’s service stations and summers at their small resort in Wisconsin that he helped build. Chet was senior class President and captain of the basketball team in 1940 at Calumet High. He enrolled at Wabash College on a basketball/tennis scholarship and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. At the start of World War II, he enlisted in the Marines, later transferring to the Navy (and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Hawaii.) After the end of the war in 1945 Chester returned home to Chicago where he married Betty Ricks, the love of his life. Together, they moved back to Wabash and where he completed his last two years of college on the GI Bill. They had three children,18 months apart. They worked together to raise two daughters and a particularly ornery youngest son. Betty supported Chet’s career, including entertaining and attending countless business and charity events, and in return he was very supportive of her art pursuits and painting career. Starting out as a salesman with Coca-Cola Fountain Sales covering the Chicago loop, he was transferred to Atlanta and then Kansas City in 1967 where he became Area Manager of the Midwest, (managing district offices from Minneapolis to New Orleans). He was proud to work with Mr. Kauffman to ensure Coca-Cola was the exclusive soft drink sponsor of the new Royals and Chiefs Stadiums, as well as all the other major league stadiums in his area. Chester was part of the Coca-Cola team that began with a hand shake with Ray Kroc to supply Coke products to the first McDonald’s restaurant. Chet and Betty were avid Chicago Bears Fans and later Chiefs fans, never missing a game. Chet was involved in local charities. Dear to his heart was the Kansas City Chapter of Variety Club International, one the world’s largest children’s charities. He became Chief Barker (President) in 1982, leading Variety to record donations through their annual TV telethons and events. He was especially proud of setting up the Variety Sunshine Van program. His tireless efforts directly benefited special needs children in Kansas City. He was also a proud and loyal Father, never missing his sons football games, and later sport and art events for his grandchildren. Chester was an avid tennis player at Homestead Country Club and continuing playing at Overland Park Racquet club into his 80’s. Tom his oldest brother by 14 years not only taught his little brother to play tennis, but we also have Tom to thank for giving him the name “Chester”! Up until the end Chet offered his engaging smile for all and as always, made a special connection with everyone he met. He is loved and will be missed by all his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty Ricks (1921-1982) and second wife Betty Bennett. He is survived by his daughters Sally Tarsitano (Louis, deceased) Barbara Salvaggio, (Bruce) and son Paul, as well as five beloved grandchildren Scott Salvaggio (Ilana Rozanes), Brooke Salvaggio (Daniel Heryer), John Chester Tarsitano, Richard Tarsitano (Meghan), Mary Margaret Tarsitano and three great grandchildren Percy and Solomon Heryer and Madeline Tarsitano. Dear Dad, Papa, and Grandpa Chet, we will miss you.