Visitation
St. Michael's Catholic Church
100 Oak Drive South
Lake Jackson, TX  77566
Friday, June 30, 2023
10:00am
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Mass
St. Michael's Catholic Church
100 Oak Drive South
Lake Jackson, TX  77566
Friday, June 30, 2023
11:00am
Map & Directions  Map & Directions

Send Flowers Send Flowers

Francis Thomas Kiefel

of Lake Jackson, TX

June 20, 1963 - June 27, 2023


  • Obituary
  • Guestbook
Francis Thomas Kiefel was born in Freeport, Texas on June 20, 1963, the oldest child of Frank and Joan Kiefel. He passed away on June 27, 2023 at St. Luke's Hospital in Houston after battling a series of medical issues over the past several years. He is survived by his mother, Joan of Lake Jackson, his sisters Jacqueline Kiefel and her spouse John Heiniger of Marietta, Georgia and Deborah Llewellyn and her spouse Mark Llewellyn of Tampa, Florida, his nieces Sarah Heiniger, Rachel Llewellyn, and Charlotte Llewellyn and nephews Nick Heiniger and Jake Llewellyn. Preceded in death are his father, Frank Kiefel, his grandparents Frank A Kiefel and Agnes Von Dohlen Kiefel and Paul and Elenora Hutzler and numerous aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 30 at 11:00 AM at St. Michael's Church in Lake Jackson, Texas with a rosary preceding at 10:30 AM.
Francis enjoyed a variety of activities throughout his life. As a child, he played Little League Baseball and participated in Boy Scouts of America. In high school, he played guitar in a garage band, scraping together a few local gigs and managing to shatter only a few of Joan's crystal glasses due to the loud music shaking the walls and furniture. Francis graduated from Brazoswood High School in 1981 and continued his education at Texas A&M University where he earned his B.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology. He was a computer technician at Texas Agricultural Extension Service and Director of Technology Services at VarTec Telecom, Inc. During the dot bomb era, Francis went back to school to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician at Alvin Community College then studied Nursing at College of the Mainland and the University of Texas at Arlington. He was a staff nurse at Lake Jackson Health Care Center and a Registered Nurse at St. Luke's Health, Brazosport Hospital. In his spare time, Francis enjoyed collecting and shooting rockets, orchestrating fireworks, fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and rock hounding. He was creative and made fishing dioramas and wire-wrapped jewelry with polished rocks and gemstones, selling his creations at craft shows throughout the state and on his online shop, The Lone Star Mine Shaft. He took pride in his techy inventions that took ordinary items to the next level and delighted in trying new recipes, especially specialty pizzas, experimenting with various crusts and toppings. Francis's personality lives on through YouTube videos he produced on The Texas Road Runner channel which showcases his many creations and interests.
Francis adored his nieces and nephews and enjoyed retelling stories of silly things they said and did when younger. Francis was known to play Santa and the Easter Bunny so neighbor children and his nephews could enjoy some fun times at the holidays. Francis greatly missed his dad after he passed and has been such a help to his mom for more than a decade. He helped her get through several hurricanes and a historic ice storm and often took her out for meals at their favorite Lake Jackson restaurants. Francis had a big heart, a trusting spirit, and was a friend to anyone he met.
For where your treasure is, there also is your heart. - Matthew 6:21

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8 Condolence(s)
Anthony Belvin
Desoto, TX
Sunday, September 24, 2023

Every once in a dozen blue moons or more, I go through a phase of soul-searching hoping to find friends from my past. For the past 5 days, I've been searching for Francis "Chief" Kiefel. I met him my junior year in high school. We were teammates on the track team and bandmates in his garage band. David McCutchen (RIP) used to play drums. I send my condolences to his family and friends.

Laura Van Dorn
Lake Jackson, TX
Friday, June 30, 2023

Francis and I began our friendship over a common interest in rockhounding and then I learned that he went thru high school with my brother. In spite of his beliefs in 40's and 50's gender limitations, I enjoy hunting and fishing and workingcattle and raising/training horses. Francis actually joined me on one of my deer hunts and I also took him fishing in our ranch's stocked ponds. One time, he tinkered with an electronic skeet slinger so that it could be activated with a foot pedal or set to a timer. So I took him out on our ranch to shoot skeet. Even after I whipped his butt with my little 20 gauge shotgun, I think he took pleasure in ribbing me about how I was supposed to like shopping and wearing dresses, etc.
We shared a love of movies and fireworks.
I had been out of touch with Francis for about six months, after my Father passed away. It was a total surprise and regret to hear of his passing. If God allows fireworks in heaven, I know what Francis is doing right now. That or fishing. RIP Francis.

Kim Steed
Star City, AR
Thursday, June 29, 2023

Francis was one of my favorite students at COM. I lived in Lake Jackson for twelve years, then moved back to Arkansas. We've been friends on Facebook. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

David Carmody
Austin, TX
Thursday, June 29, 2023

Francis, as is the feeling with everyone, you were taken away from us far too soon. You have been my friend since 6th grade and I am so saddened by your passing. You we such a bright, shining light to every life you touched. Rest in peace, "Chief"!

Royce, Raquel & Ally Burt
Plant City, FL
Thursday, June 29, 2023

Sending our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. May happy memories of Francis comfort you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Wanda Ricketson
Bryan, TX
Thursday, June 29, 2023

I am so sorry to hear of Francis's passing. He was a classmate and friend and a really neat person. Thanks for the wonderful obituary, it was nice to see all of his accomplishments. I'm sorry I will not be able to attend his funeral. Prayers for the family!

Wayne and Dianne, Mock/Kiefel Blair and Family
Navasota, TX
Thursday, June 29, 2023

We are praying for all of you. We love you all more than
Words can express. All of our Family does. This again re-
Affirms to me that our Amazing God allows us to see/live
Glimpses of Heaven here so we will strive to all be in
Heaven someday. This is how me and, I am sure all of our
Family feels about the absolute Treasure we had growing
Up with all of this Beautiful Family. We have asked, if God
Allows for our Sam to go and meet Francis, Dianne & Wayne

Al and Pat Wright
Houston, TX
Wednesday, June 28, 2023

May you rest in eternal peace, Cousin.