Kenneth Joseph Francis

Kenneth Joseph Francis, 78, of Sacramento, CA, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on November 21, 2025

Kenneth was born on December 16, 1946, to Howard and Evelyn Francis and grew up in Sacramento near Executive Airport. After graduating from McClatchy High School in 1965, he joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. Following four years of service, he returned home to join the family business, Howard and Son Truck & Marine Service.

In his younger years after the Marines, Ken became an accomplished drag boat racer, owning and driving the Yellow Streaker competition jet boat. He won a world championship and set multiple world records. After retiring from driving, he continued as a team owner, earning another world championship with the Lethal Weapon drag boat team before eventually stepping away from racing in 1994.

Alongside his father, Ken built a successful career in the truck repair industry, founding JDJ Trucking, a local freight company that expanded into several states. He retired from the trucking business in the early 2000s.

Ken had a lifelong love of the open road and could often be found riding his beloved Harley-Davidson on local routes. He also enjoyed traveling in his RV with his wife Kathryn and their dogs, exploring destinations near and far.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Kathryn, his sons Mark and Matthew and their mother Carol Francis, his stepdaughter Karisa, and his grandchildren Austin, Skylar, Hailey, Brooklyn, Tristan, and Savannah.