Kit Duane Francis II, (KJ)

Kit Duane Francis II, (KJ) of Albuquerque, NM passed away on April 25, 2017, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Santa Fe, NM.  Sadly, he was only 24 years old.

KJ was born on October 7, 1992, in Norfolk VA; the son of Roberta Lowery Kees and Kit Francis.  He was the beloved little brother of Amanda and Alicia and adored big brother of Krysta and Katie.  In his youth, he played baseball.  As he got older, he became a talented skateboarder.  In the last few years, he became passionate about learning to play guitar.  KJ attended high school in Albuquerque, but left school early, anxious to live his life.  His pursuit of that life delivered the most precious gift, his daughter Thalia.  She was everything to KJ and he treasured spending time with her.

To be the best father he could be KJ was determined to make serious changes in his life.  He earned his GED as a prerequisite for his dream to join the Army National Guard.  With pride and purpose, he took his oath of office on February 2, 2017, and was scheduled leave for boot camp at Fort Benning, GA on Monday morning, April 17, 2017.  Tragically, the night before, KJ was a passenger in a devastating car wreck and suffered grave injury.  He passed peacefully nine days later.  KJ will be remembered for his sweet and gentle nature and will be deeply missed by those family and friends who knew and loved him.

KJ is survived by his beloved daughter, Thalia Renee Pena Francis; Thalia’s mother, Jacqueline Faith Pena; his mother, Roberta Lowery Kees and her husband, Kevin; his father, Kit Francis and his wife, Leslie.  He also leaves his maternal grandfather, Gary Lowery, two maternal great grandmothers, Margaret Lowery and June Beazley.  He is survived by his sisters, Amanda Francis, Alicia Silva, Krysta Kees, and Katie Kees; and his stepsister Bethany Ziegler.  He also leaves many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

KJ was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Paul and Virginia Francis; his maternal grandmother, Sandra Lowery; and his maternal great grandfathers, Nelson Lowery and Robert Beazley.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at The New Covenant Church located at 7201 Paseo Del Norte in Albuquerque followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to his GoFundMe account in support of his daughter, Thalia.

FRENCH – Wyoming

7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE

(505) 823-9400