Stanley Allan Francis, 75, of Eureka passed away October 31, 2022 at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles.

He was born on August 6, 1947 in Pasadena to Oscar Renfrew Francis Jr. and Bertha Helen Francis.

Stanley was only 17 years old when he lost his father. He was responsible for his mother and younger sister, leaving him the only man of the house. Stanley left Gardena High School half way through his senior year to work and care for his family. He went to work for his Uncle Stanley, who owned a refrigeration business. Later, Stanley went to Harbor Junior College to study refrigeration and continued to work for his uncle.

Stanley was 19 years old when I met him and became his wife of over 53 years. I was 17 years old and a senior at Inglewood High School. We married on February 14, 1969. Our first child, Sabrina was born in 1970 in Inglewood. We moved to Eureka when Sabrina was 10 months old, and arrived January 1, 1971 with my family. We opened Sabrina’s Pizza House March 1971. We had our first son, Jason, in 1973. We had our second son, Heath, in 1976. Stanley was hired to work for Varsity Ice Cream in 1976. He was their first employee. Stanley and I opened Babetta’s Ristorante in 1998 and he stayed with Varsity Ice Cream. Stanley retired from Varsity Ice Cream in 2019. He was there for 43 years.

Stanley’s hobbies and interests were hunting and fishing with his kids and good friend, Joe Rosa. Stanley was such a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family more than life itself. Stanley also loved people and took a personal interest in their lives. He was very well-known throughout the community; they called him “Stan the ice cream man”, and sometimes “Huggy Bear.” Stanley always had a smile on his face, and a booming laugh. He was known for his stories and jokes. He also loved to play pranks on other drivers who found it very hard to reciprocate. Stanley was kind-hearted and very deep. He was a loyal friend. He was brave, a protector, and a straight shooter. He was very real and down to earth. He was a man’s man. He walked his talk.

My Stanley was so strong and powerful and I always felt safe when he was next to me. He had so many capabilities and very confident, yet so humble and gentle. I’ve witnessed him protecting not only his family and friends, but strangers as well. He was my hero! Stanley had many hidden talents. His singing range was over four octaves, but he would never sing. He was an amazing artist and he never drew. He had quick and accurate reflexes and was very athletic for such a big man and he only played football one year. He only bragged about his family. He allowed me to run the show, and make most of the decisions, but every so often he would chime in and give his thoughts if he felt strongly. It always stopped me in my tracks, and I always listened. Our personalities were different in so many ways, but we were friends to each other’s interests. Stan was not a complainer. I was very blessed by this loving man, and I already miss him so much. I know he’s in heaven, watching and protecting us, and he is in no pain. He was a man; a tough man. I called him Stan my man. I will forever miss you, until we meet again. I love you. Your loving wife, Babetta Francis

Stanley was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Renfrew Francis Jr, and mother, Bertha Helen Francis, sister Mary Jane Francis Vanwagoner, and mother in law, Saralene Janet Kinnebrew. He is survived by his wife, Babetta Francis, daughter Sabrina Gasdik (Arturo), son Jason Francis (Monica), and son Heath Francis (Angela), grandsons Heath and Tyus (Moriah) Francis, granddaughter Amelia Francis, granddaughters Mileena and Arabella Maki, great-granddaughter Delilah Francis, and extended family and friends (too many to mention).

There will be a Celebration of Stanley’s Life held at the Elks Lodge 445 Herrick Ave, Eureka on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Stanley Francis’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.