Oklahoma State University Athletics
Former Cowboy
October 09, 2013 | Cowboy Basketball
Oct. 9, 2013
Howard D. "Bones" Francis, a member of the Oklahoma A&M Basketball team that played during the inaugural season of Gallagher-Iba Arena, passed away on Oct. 4, 2013. He was 95 years old.
Known as "Bones", Francis was born Nov. 29, 1917, in Mangum, Okla., to Earnest and Grace Francis. After graduating from Altus High School, he attended OAMC and played basketball for legendary coach Mr. Henry Iba. At 6-4, Francis was one of the tallest on the team.
Bones played in the first game held in Gallagher Hall on Dec. 9, 1938, defeating Kansas 21-15. So many people wanted to see the new arena, they played KU again the following day, which ended in a 25-19 victory for the Aggies. Those games were the first meetings between Mr. Iba and Phog Allen.
Upon graduating from OAMC with a degree in business in 1941, Francis was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the army, rising to the rank of Captain, and became a B-17 pilot in the Army Air Corps by the end of World War II.
After the War, Francis taught school, and coached basketball & baseball in Blair, Okla. He was also a postmaster and operated the movie theater. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He later finished his career as a salesman for Ideal Cement.
In 2008, he moved to Lee's Summit, Mo., to be near his daughter. Francis is survived by: his daughter, Judy Shafer; his son, Alan Francis of Martinez, Ga.; four granddaughters; three great-grandsons; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Virginia; his sister, Joyce Moreau; and a great-granddaughter, Cadence Gordon. Howard will be laid to rest in the Resurrection Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
