Francis Albert Seybold

Francis Albert Seybold

July 15, 1931 - August 10, 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Francis Seybold, age 85, was called home to be with Jesus on Aug. 10, 2016, at his home in Peoria.

He was born on July 15, 1931, in Trenton, Neb., and was the third of four children born to Frank and Cassie Seybold.

Francis was preceded in death by both of his parents and his siblings, Roy, Delbert and his little sister, Katherine.

Francis is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joan Seybold of Peoria, and their children, Michael and wife, Susan of Stillwater, Okla., Sam and wife, Debi of Dodge City, Kan., John and wife, Natalie of Helotes, Texas, and Susan and Monty Pfannenstiel of Ness City, Kan. He was the proud grandfather to 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Francis was a highly-regarded public school administrator/teacher for 41 years in St. Francis, Jetmore, and Fowler, Kan. During his tenure, he received numerous recognitions including being one of the Founders of the SW Kansas Area Special Education District 613. He also received lifetime service awards from the Kansas State High School Activities Association and the Kansas School Administrators Association. He loved teaching and mentoring kids. Even 23 years after retiring, he was still in touch with several hundred of his former students who told him that without his guidance they wouldn't be as successful as they are today or may be dead or in jail. He loved helping kids and adults alike, serving over 20 years as a charter member volunteer with the Peoria Diamond Club and Boswell Hospital after he retired.

In his younger years, he was a terrific athlete that led him to playing semi-pro baseball as a teenager, then moving on to play college football, earning All-American status. He loved teaching his kids how to play all kinds of sports and loved watching them play as they got older. Win or lose, it was about how hard you played and the attitude that you played with. Family time meant a lot, with some of the best family memories spending summer weekends at the lake.

Francis taught us to be kind to people, always engage in conversation, do things right, be on time and always have a clean windshield. His favorite advice to his sons and grandsons for a long, happy marriage was to make "yes dear" your two favorite words.

Francis was described by his friends as one of best guys you could ever meet and the best friend any man could have.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westbrook Village Posse, which is a volunteer group that keeps their neighborhood safe. Friends may leave on-line condolences and donations through the Heritage Arrowhead Funeral Center, 7545 W. Rose Garden Lane, Glendale, AZ 85308. Their website is www.heritagefuneralchapels.com.