Junior Ben Francis passed away on Friday, Dec. 10.  

“Ben and I talked often; he was the kind of kid who would make you mad, but you could never stay mad at him,” substitute teacher, Jerry Green said. “I watched his growth from his Coleman years to Plant. He always had a smile which made you smile. I will miss his infectious smile…I will miss our conversations. I will miss him.”  

Francis was a son, a friend, and a kind person. He was a class clown and never failed to put a smile on his peers’ faces.  

“Such a great friend to everyone,” sophomore Bella LoPresto said. “He always lit up the room. The kindest person I’ve met with such a pure heart.”  

Senior Kervens Duvermond met Francis in math class and treated him as a little brother. He made math fun and enjoyable for the class.  

“Ben was the nicest kid I’ve met,” Duvermond said. “He put others before himself. He was a fun kid. “We hung out outside of school a lot and it was some of the best times. [I am] Really going to miss him.”   

Aside from being a good friend, he was also a “motorcycle enthusiast and loved anything mechanical” (Tribute Archive). He loved fireworks, cars, and boats.   

First Priority and FCA held a prayer on Monday, Dec. 13, for Francis and his classmate Taylor Koulouris, who was involved in the accident as well. His funeral will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18.  

For more information on Ben and his funeral arrangements: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/23358856/benjamin-william-francis