Grant Francis

MORGAN - Grant Francis passed away peacefully in his sleep June 13, 2013 as a resident of the Family Tree Assisted Living Center in North Morgan, Utah. He had just celebrated his 85th birthday three days prior.

Grant was the fourth child born to Gilbert Francis and Mabel (Smuin) Francis. He came into the world on June 10, 1928 in Morgan where he was raised.

He served two enlistments in the United States Army, serving in Japan.

After his honorable release from military service in 1947, Grant returned home. He married Beverly Jones on June 16, 1948 in the LDS Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity. Together they raised five children: Sherilynn, Larry, Michelle, Connie, and Brad.

Born and raised in Morgan, Grant spent his summers from an early age working at the Francis Ranch where he loved hunting with family and friends. Grant graduated from Morgan High and went on to attend college at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, completing his undergraduate work. He had planned on a career in dentistry when his father asked him, in 1951, to forgo his dental career and join in the family business at First National Bank of Morgan where he started out as a teller. In 1978 Grant became President of the bank after spending the previous several years as Executive Vice-President. After a 40-year career in banking, Grant made a decision to retire and serve as Chairman of the Board and CEO of First National Bank for a total of 56 years of service.

For many years Grant operated his own insurance company under Northwestern Mutuala�"G. Francis Agencya�"which he ran out of his office at the bank.

Grant was a member of the Morgan Lions Club and Morgan Jeep Posse for many years. He was also a great fisherman and loved fishing, playing golf, being in the outdoors and going on family vacations. He spent many hours with family at the lot in the Uintahs. It was a favorite spot to get away from the pressures of work, and many special memories were formed there. He loved to travel and spent many winters vacationing in St. George and San Diego. Grant was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held the office of High Priest. Grant's wife, Beverly, passed away October 22, 1988. He remarried in September 1989, and served a 13-month couples mission in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission. Grant made numerous anonymous contributions to his church and community, never wanting recognition. He was generous to a fault with his family, and made sure no one went without.

Grant is survived by his five children and their spouses: Sherilynn (Craig) Green of Ogden; Larry Grant (Shanna) Francis of Eden; Michelle (Jed) Hall of Morgan; Connie Jae (Kelly) Preece of Morgan; and Brad Taylor (Becky) Francis, also of Morgan. In addition, he is survived by 18 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild who is soon to be born; and two sisters, Melba Brimley and Shirley Nielsena�"both of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Grant was preceded in death by his loving, eternal companion Beverly Jones Francis; grandson, James (Jamie) Dale Green; brother, Gilbert (Bert) Francis, and two brother-in-laws, Richard (Dick) Brimley and Reed Nielsen.

A viewing will be held at Walker Mortuary, 45 W. 200 N., in Morgan, Utah, Monday, June 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, June 18 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Following Tuesday's viewing, a graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. at the South Morgan Cemetery where Grant will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Beverly.

The Francis family would like to give special thanks to all the wonderful and kind people who offered care to our father at Family Tree Assisted Living Center in North Morgan, and for the care and support that Hospice of Utah provided. We are eternally grateful and can't adequately express how thankful we are for the kindness, care, and love shown to our father. We want to thank Paul Dickson for his continued help in keeping dad respectfully well-groomed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Family Tree Assisted Living Center in North Morgan.