James H. Francis ’57
James H. Francis ’57 of Oakland, California, passed away on December 1, 2021, due to heart failure. Jim came to Dartmouth from Boston Latin School. He majored in history and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta, Casque & Gauntlet, and the Newman Club. Jim had a distinguished collegiate career as a 6-foot-9 center on the basketball team, averaging 15 points and 13 rebounds per game for three seasons. In 1956 he played in the memorable NCAA tournament game at Madison Square Garden when Dartmouth defeated highly ranked West Virginia. After graduation Jim worked for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in Akron, Ohio, and played for the Goodyear Wingfoots in the National Industrial League, earning most valuable player in 1961. He was a member of the U.S. basketball team that toured the Soviet Union. Jim moved to San Francisco to play professionally for the San Francisco Saints of the American Basketball League, averaging 19 points per game. Upon the conclusion of his basketball career, Jim worked in the title insurance industry. In 1969 he joined the Wells Fargo Bank escrow division. He worked for the bank in financial services for 25 years, rising to vice president. Jim was passionate about helping young people as volunteer special education aide at Woodside (California) Elementary School. He was a dedicated youth basketball coach for boys and girls basketball at St. Francis and St. Mary parishes. Jim’s wife, Mary Lou, predeceased him. He is survived by sons Jim, John, and Kevin and six grandchildren.
