Francis Oren Arganbright, age 81 of Waterville, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan.
He was born on May 28, 1944, on the family farm northwest of Waterville, the son of Oren Bertrum and Alice Lilian (Shaw) Arganbright. He graduated from Waterville High School.
On February 10, 1963, at the Waterville United Methodist Church, he married Carolyn Elizabeth Arganbright.
Francis was a farmer his entire life, but for him it was far more than an occupation – it was a true passion. He took great pride in his work, keeping his rows perfectly straight and his fields free of weeds. Francis was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge and the Heartland Corvette Club. When he wasn’t in the fields, he enjoyed restoring Allis Chalmers tractors, drag racing, tractor pulling, and just about anything involving motorsports. He definitely had that unmistakable “need for speed”.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Arganbright of Waterville; one son, Thad Arganbright and wife Tabitha of Waterville; one daughter, Trisha Arganbright Bannon of Cheyenne, Wyoming; two brothers, Robert Arganbright and wife Kay of Woods River, Illinois and Jim Brady and wife Kathy of Emporia; four grandchildren, Treg Arganbright, Payton Newlin and husband Jack, Benjamin Arganbright, and Jack Bannon, and two great grandchildren, Brighton and Paisley Newlin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Milton Arganbright.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2026, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Waterville United Methodist Church with Pastors Derek Slack and Jacob Schmitz officiating. Music will be furnished by Beverly Hedke. Pallbearers will be Treg Arganbright, Jack Bannon, Ben Arganbright, Jack Newlin, Scott Woborny, and Tracy Mann. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Waterville Fire Department and EMS, and left in care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
