George Francis

Middleton - George H. Francis died on Sunday afternoon October 26, 2014 at The VA Hospital in Madison. George was born on June 6, 1938 in Hollywood, CA to Natalia Stone Francis and George Francis. Three years later he moved to Beloit, WI when his mother married James B. Gage. George attended The Kent School in Kent CT, and Northwestern University in Evansville,IL. He then served 3 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and finished his degree at Beloit College. In 1960 he married Virginia Van Wart of Beloit. George and his wife lived in Mazatlan, Mexico for one year, on Mallorca, Spain for twenty two years, in Hampton, IA for 13 years and finally in Middleton, WI where they have resided the last 13 years.

While in Spain George founded Genus Mallorca, a swine breeding company. In 1982 King Juan Carlos awarded him The Spanish Cross of Merit for his contributions to the Spanish livestock industry. For 45 years George was also a direct metal sculptor.

George is survived by Virginia, his wife of 54 years, his son Ethan (Maria) of Valencia, Spain, his daughter Natalia (Kostas) of Chania, Greece and his daughter Genevieve (Fernando) of Barcelona, Spain his six grandchildren: Jordi, Jules, Nikolas, Nathanael, Emma and Clara and his mother-in-law Louise Rusch of Madison.

In accordance with George's wishes there will be a private memorial service on Mallorca next summer. Memorial donations in his name may be made to Madison Opera, 335 W. Mifflin St., Madison 53703
Please share a memory at www.CressFuneralService.com