Don Francisco

Don Francisco passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2015, at his home. He was born on June 26, 1929, and was a lifelong resident of Kingsport.

Don was a 1948 graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School and played on their 1947 undefeated and unscored on football team. He attended Tennessee Tech. Don retired from Clemons Cab. Clemons, the family company, provided ground transportation for Eastman for over 65 years. Don loved his family, loved to farm, and enjoyed making others smile.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle DeWolfe and Pearl Clemons Francisco, and brother, Lynn Francisco.

Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth H. Francisco; sister-in-law, Carol Francisco; daughter, Donna Horner; father of their children, Mike Horner and wife, Julie; son, Richard Francisco and wife Mary Pat; grandson, Josh Horner and wife, Heather, children, Luke Lett and Maggie Horner; granddaughter, Kari and husband, Travis Durnin, son, Gage Durnin; nephews, Jeff Francisco and wife, Cathy and Greg Francisco; great-nephews, Nick, Doug and Talmage Francisco; and great-niece, Jillian Francisco Earhart and husband, Joseph.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Hamlett-Dobson Chapel, Kingsport, with Reverend Victor Wallace officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made for an AED (automated external defibrillator) at the Kingsport Carousel to the Neil Danehy Heart Foundation, 1405 Dobyns Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664.