Francisco “Fran” Jimenez, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 16,2025, from pulmonary fibrosis.
Together with his wife, Janice, Fran co-founded a private after-school enrichment program in Aptos, where they inspired children for over 40 years. Known affectionately as “Fran the Science Man” for his dazzling and often explosive experiments, his enthusiasm for learning was contagious.
Under their leadership, the program was honored with both a California Assembly and a Senate Resolution recognizing their extraordinary contributions to education. Fran’s teaching style was anything but ordinary. He encouraged lively discussions on current events and values, often weaving in poignant stories of his own childhood as the son of migrant farm workers. Students were spellbound by his humor, honesty, and resilience. He also guided them in raising thousands of dollars annually for local causes. His students were involved in every aspect — from voting on charities, to designing fund raising efforts and they were very successful.
Summers brought his much-loved living history project, where students re-created a bustling gold rush town complete with hand-built Western storefronts, mine and a working flume for gold panning. Happy voices could be heard from the western garbed children living their lessons. Beyond his work, Fran was a man of humor, artistry, and deep family love. His quick wit and radiant smile lit up every room, and his playful sense of humor made him beloved by students and friends alike. He also wrote beautiful poetry that revealed a reflective, creative side many have treasured as well. He was a master storyteller and he shared his work with various schools and his church.
Many stayed after his presentations letting him know the impact of his words. Drafted during the Vietnam era, Fran served as a supply sergeant in the Army, earning several commendations including one from his commanding officer for his meticulous records and long hours of dedication. Using the GI Bill he earned a bachelors and master’s degree. Family was the center of his joy. On their six-acre ranch, Fran planted more than 100 dwarf Fuji apple trees, tended orchards on his tractor, and built a home filled with laughter and love. With Jan and their children, he shared camping trips across the Southwest and long days together hiking in Yosemite — his happiest place.
In later years, he and Jan traveled widely. He truly lived, worked and thrived in the outdoors. Fran loved his children mightily. Toward the end of his life, he rallied to attend his son’s lecture on quantum mechanics at Cabrillo College with a wheelchair and oxygen. He also proudly celebrated his daughter’s recognition as a “New Hero” by the National Academy of Sciences from his hospital bed. His love for science and learning lived on through both his children — Cisco, who pursued chemistry, and Jacinta, who pursued psychology and leadership. He took immense pride in seeing them carry forward the curiosity and resilience that defined his life.
He will be remembered for his brilliant smiles, boundless humor, creativity, generosity, and the joy he brought to all who knew him. Fran is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janice; his children, his grandsons; and his extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and many former students who cherished him.
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A celebration of life will be held at a later date.