Francis James McPhie died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, of stomach cancer, October 27, 1996. Will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was born November 14, 1911 to James M. McPhie and Josephine E. Jensen in Milbourne, Wyoming. They also lived in Carbon County, Utah and also in Provo, Utah, where he attended Provo High School and Brigham Young University. He loved music and played the trumpet in high school and at BYU. He loved sports and participated in basketball, baseball, and loved fishing.He was active in scouting and earned the Eagle Scout award at age 15. He also earned the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Palm awards. He was an active Scout leader most of his life, serving as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Council staff member, World Boy Scout Jamborall staff member in Holland, Troop Committee member and chairman, and merit badge counselor. He received the Silver Beaver award in 1984, the highest recognition presented by a local Boy Scout Council.
He studied engineering and drafting while at BYU and during World War II. He worked for the Chemical Warfare Service of the U.S. Army at Dugway Proving Grounds as chief draftsman.
After the war was over he went into the life insurance business and worked for the Pacific Standard Life Insurance Co. as general agent for the rest of his life. He was a superior salesman and won many awards as an insurance agent and manager. He was always one of the top producers during his insurance career.
He was an active member of the LDS Church. He served a two-and-a-half year mission to the Swiss-German mission in 1935. He served his church in two bishoprices, was a High Priest Group leader, was in two Sunday School presidencies, a quorum instructor, stake clerk and chairman of a region Youth Dance Committee over 13 stakes. He was called to serve as a missionary guide at Temple Square for eight years and later called on a two year leadership mission to Liberty Stake with his wife. He served as a family extraction person for three years.
Married Gretta Carlson of Cardston, Alberta, Canada, June 8, 1938 in the Salt Lake Temple.
He is survived by his wife; son and two daughters, Jerald E. McPhie (Kaye), Sheryl A. (Ken) Peters, and Eileen K. (Dale) Perrenoud. His son, David preceded him in death. He has 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and several step-great-grandchildren.
He loved and supported his family well, especially his wife. They were active bowlers and golfers and belonged to several study groups. He was supportive of children's activities and provided some activities for them as well, as he enjoyed family get-togethers as much as possible. He was a great patriarch of his family and set high standards for all of them to emulate. He was very handy with his hands and could repair most anything. He also did most of the carpentry work in building his home. Francis was always a source of help, encouragement and wisdom and was loved and appreciated by all who knew him.
Funeral services Wednesday, October 30, 12 noon, Parleys 3rd Ward, 2613 East Stringham Ave. Viewing Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. at Cottonwood Mortuary and at the church Wednesday, October 30, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Burial, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Directors, Cottonwood Mortuary.
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