Former Utah House Speaker Franklin Wyatt Gunnell, 80, died June 8, 1996, at his home in Wellsville after a short illness.
Mr. Gunnell was speaker for two years starting in 1967. All told, he served 12 years in the Utah House.Mr. Gunnell was born and raised in Cache Valley, attended local schools and graduated from what was then called Utah State Agricultural College.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served a three-year mission in England in the 1930s where his missionary companions included Gordon B. Hinckly (now president of the church) and the late Elder Marvin J. Ashton (a former member of the Quorum of the Twelve).
Mr. Gunnell had a long and varied business career in Cache County. He worked in farming and ranching most of his life. He raised cattle, sheep, horses and later in life, ostriches. At one time his turkey operations had more than 100,000 birds and he marketed "Gunnell's Turkey Steaks."
He was a cattle buyer for six years, managed the local telephone office for 14 years and managed a feed store and worked for Utah State University's extension service for four years. He owned and operated two restaurants, a number of apartment buildings and a grocery store at various times.
He stayed active in local and state politics over the years. On several occasions during the 1980s and 1990s, he came to the Legislature to address colleagues on various issues. He gave a caucus speech several years ago when former House speakers were invited back for a special reception honoring the speakers.
Graveside services will be held in the Wellsville Cemetery June 11 at 10 a.m.