WE REMEMBER:

​

GEORGE FRANCIS was a lifelong resident of Lawrence, a local business owner with Francis Sporting Goods, and a fabulous trumpet player.  George was active in many organizations, including the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Lawrence Association, the Masonic Lodge, the National Sporting Goods Association, the Lawrence Aquahawks, the Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club, and the Trinity Episcopal Church.  George played his trumpet for over 70 years and was a life member of the American Federation of Music.   He performed with The Jazz House Big Band, the Junkyard Jazz, several orchestras, and was band leader/owner of the Collegians band.  And he was a long-time member of the Lawrence City Band, playing trumpet and climbing those gazebo steps for many years!  George passed away in 2018, and the Lawrence City Band maintains a fund in his honor.

​

MARION ROBERTS held a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from William Jewel College, a Masters in Music from Kansas State University, and a D.M.A. from the University of Kansas.  He was Chairman of the Department of Music at Baker University from 1975-1985, and Director of Bands at Blue Valley North High School from 1986-2014.  Marion was past president and charter member of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, KBA Outstanding Bandmaster, was twice selected by the School Band and Orchestra Magazine as "One of Fifty Directors Who Make a Difference", and received many other teaching awards.  He was inducted into the Kansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2017.  And he was a long-time member of the Lawrence City Band, serving as lead euphonium player, associate conductor, and Chair of the Board of Directors!  Marion passed away in 2021, and the Lawrence City Band maintains a fund in his honor.