SMITH, Franklyn

SMITH

FRANKLYN ROCKWELL

Frank was born on January 9th, 1934 to Seymour Bicknell Smith and Winfred Harker in Cardston, Alberta. He was the 9th child of 10 children. Frank grew up on the family ranch southeast of Mountain View and attended school in Mountain View, Cardston and Provo.

Frank married his high school sweetheart Hazel Bevans on October 15th, 1953. Their children are Brandon and Bradley (twins), Amber, Lucille Marshall (foster daughter), Rock, Dallen, Rusten and Ryan.

He was actively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life.

Frank raised cattle, sheep and loved horses. He was a shareholder of Simmental Breeders Ltd.(SBL) which imported the first Simmental bull, Parisien, into North America. He was astute and self-taught in many areas and became a skilled builder and mechanic and was an early adopter of new and emerging technologies that helped enhance his ranching entrepreneurship. Through personal challenges, Frank developed an empathy that allowed him to understand and help others as a trusted and respected friend.

Frank had a keen mind for remembering events, dates, people and genealogy. He loved reading histories and enjoyed reminiscing about events and families of the area. He chaired the book committee that completed, in just over a year and in-time for the Alberta Centennial, the Chief Mountain Country Volume III; A history of Cardston and District. In the last year of his life, he compiled and published his own history using Hazel’s journals and his recollection of family and events. His scribe was his iPhone which he used to converted his voice into text.

Frank passed away peacefully in his home on April 15th, 2021. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Hazel, all of his siblings, Smith cousins, and 3 grandchildren. He is survived by all of his children and their spouses, 33 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren.

A private Family Viewing will be held on Tuesday April 20th, 2021. On Wednesday April 21st at 1:00 PM, a private family service will be held at the Legacy Funeral Home which can be viewed live or at a later date or send condolences please visit http://www.legacyfuneralhome.ca/.

The family would like to thank all those that have provided meals and done numerous acts of kindness over the past several years since the passing of Hazel in 2014. Frank will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have him in their lives!