Frank George Memory

In the early morning hours of January 1, 2025, after more than 101 years on this Earth, Frank George Memory silently and peacefully passed through the veil for a joyous reunion with many family and friends, especially Eileen, his eternal companion of 67 years, his beloved parents, and siblings. The last months and weeks of his life he was surrounded by many loving family and friends crying and laughing, sharing countless stories.

 Frank was born July 29, 1923 to Franklin George and Arlean Miner Memory in Standardville, a coal mining community in Carbon County Utah. He was the second child of three. Arlean passed away when Frank was just 3 years old. Frank's dad, Franklin (also known as Frank), remarried Christina Jane Nielsen Banner and she was a wonderful and caring mother to this young family.

 Frank was raised and attended schools in Price and Spanish Fork and he graduated from Price High School in 1942. The United States entered World War II in December 1941. During this extremely difficult time, Dad and his brother Gordon decided to drive to San Diego and join the Navy. Frank enlisted and after basic training served on a wooden hull minesweeper in the Pacific theater. Later he asked for duty on a submarine, but his commander said he would have to go back to the States and be accepted into school. About a month or two later Frank's minesweeper pulled into port in New Guinea next to a submarine and he requested a reassignment, which was granted - minus the training. This was a theme for his life: Just figure it out, whatever the task at hand was without complaint. This began a two year run on the USS Gato (SS-212), which eventually took him into Tokyo Harbor during the signing of the treaty to end the war. 

 Dad loved his time on the submarine and climbed the ladder of leadership and showed extraordinary skills in submarining. Many harrowing tales he has shared with family and friends. He was discharged as a Quartermaster First Class December 29, 1945.

 During his Naval service, Frank had been writing to Eileen Brown of Woodruff Utah. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy he immediately went to find her. They married the following year on June 6, 1946 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed (according to his children) with 5 children and settled in Springville where they raised their family. Frank started working as a mechanic at Miners Auto for Jeff Miner. Later he also owned a gas station with Kelly Jensen which they called Frank and Kelly's Texaco where the Walgreens currently stands on the southwest corner of 400 South and Main Street in Springville. He then eventually purchased Ruffs Garage which became Frank Memory’s Garage for many years there on Center St and worked there until retirement. He loved helping others and was always willing to assist those in need.

 Frank and Eileen had many wonderful lifelong friends with whom they shared vacations, epic card games, the 20/30 club, and countless hunting and fishing trips to the Unitas or Boulder Mountain or boating on Lake Powell.

 Frank filled and served in a number of church and civic positions. He served as a Bishopric Counselor, Bishop, Scoutmaster, Stake High Councilor, counselor in a MTC Branch Presidency, and a Service mission with Eileen. He served on the Springville City Council, Zoning Committee, Chairman of the Board of Adjustments. He was also one of the EMTs on the first ambulance service in town. Additionally he was named and selected as the Grand Marshal of the Art City Days parade in 2022.

 Frank was preceded in death by almost all friends and family (aside from his children). This includes his mother, father, step mother, brother, sister, and Michael Bringhurst, a grandson.

Those left to tell his life story and carry on his legacy are his children: Von (Glenda) Memory, Cecil, Alabama; Sharon (Doug) Bringhurst Springville, Utah; Ann (Duane) Paxton Mapleton, Utah; Gary (Carla) Memory Purcellville, Virginia; Richard (Sunnie) Memory Panguitch, Utah. He is survived by 19 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren who all knew and loved him. 

 The family would like to express very deep gratitude to the staff at Mervyn Sharp Bennion VA care facility and the hospice staff. We are very grateful for the loving care you provided to our dad.

 There will be a visitation held on Friday, January 3rd from 6 to 8 pm at Wheeler & Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home in Springville. 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT

 Funeral services are to be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Spring Creek Third Ward, 55 North Main Street, Springville, Utah. Visitation on Saturday will go from 9:30-10:30 am at the church building and the memorial service starts at 11 am. Bishop P. Adam Lynn will preside. A Zoom link will be provided.

 Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.