Thomas Clay Francis, 44, of Hereford, Texas, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2022. Graveside services will be Monday, January 31, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Kingfisher Cemetery in Kingfisher, Oklahoma with Jake Hooker officiating. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. Family and friend visitation will be Friday, January 28, 2022, from 6:00-8:00PM at the Hereford Country Club.

Thomas Clay Francis the only cherished child of Wayne and Suzanne Francis was born in Oklahoma City. His love for Oklahoma State University was born and bred into him from his amazing dad. They spent many hours on the road and in the stands cheering on their Cowboys. From Gallagher-Iba, Lewis Field, and Allie P Reynolds stadiums in Stillwater; to on the road at the final four in Seattle and San Antonio, the Rose Bowl in LA and the college World Series in Omaha, along with countless other stops. There was never a game too far that they didn't find a way to give their Pokes all they had.

He met his future wife, Jackie, on the OSU campus one rainy Stillwater morning. Never letting her live down the fact she wore deerskin boots in the rain that morning. Later, after moving to the Texas Panhandle, he realized rain in the Panhandle, where she was from, just didn't happen like rain in central Oklahoma and gave her a small but humble break.

Clay was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, where he was a beloved brother staying in contact with a host of friends frequently. He was always the one to say something inappropriate at just the right time. A life of the party guy who never met a stranger. At any point, he could sit down with anyone say 'hi' and know their life story in five minutes. This gift led him to become an outstanding animal health salesman. He wasn't just there to sell you something, he was there to make a new friend.

The second love of his life, his daughter Teal, was his pride and joy. He loved being a girl dad from the start and did so much for her to be able to do anything she wanted. Never a lover of stock shows, he became one overnight as she started showing her love for them. He was always waiting in the wings with flowers for the dance performances and words of love and encouragement for anything she was ready to try.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Jackie, daughter Teal, mother Suzie. Mother and father-in-law Jack and Kathy Boyd, Aunt Sandra Blackstock and cousin Marsh Blackstock along with a host of friends.

Clay is preceded in death by his grandparents, his father Wayne with who he has now had a glorious reunion, and a cousin Leigh Blackstock.

The next time you see orange in the sky, give them a smile and a good old 'Go Pokes.'

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in memory of Clay Francis for Teal Francis' Education Fund c/o First Bank Southwest, 300 Main Street N., Hereford, TX 79045

You may go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com