05/13/1934 ~ 07/16/2017
Frank succumbed to death on July 16, 2017 at age 83 after a long valiant fight with Parkinson's disease.
Born Kaye Franklin McElwain on Mother's Day May 13, 1934 in Palo Alto, California to Ferd William McElwain and Nell Mathilda Hanson. He spent his early years in Northern California, moving to Santa Ana, CA during WWII where his father was stationed in the Army Air Corps. After the war they moved to Los Angeles where he became very involved in scouting, eventually earning his Eagle Scout. He attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1950 and worked at Philmont Boy Scout camp in New Mexico during the summer of 1951. Frank graduated from LA Wilson High School where he was student body president his senior year. He attended Whittier College and Pasadena City College where he met his future wife Diane Marie Emery.
Frank volunteered for the Army, Jan 1955- Nov 1956, serving his country in Korea at the DMZ during the peacekeeping era. Upon his return, Frank and Diane were married December 21, 1956 at Calvary Presbyterian Church in South Pasadena, CA. Frank graduated from University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with a BS in forestry in 1960. He began his career in the U.S. Forest Service in Markleeville, CA. His career spanned 30 years, including positions of forest ranger, wildlife and range management officer, intra-agency coal environmental impact study, regional wilderness and winter sports management officer, and branch chief, recreation-lands-minerals- wilderness. Frank was transferred nearly every 4years. Consequently, his family lived in Reno, Nevada; Malta, Idaho; Ogden, UT; Price, UT and finally Salt Lake City.
Frank was a dedicated member of Cottonwood Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Deacon and volunteered extensively on the Buildings and Grounds Committee where he was the expert on the sprinkler system. He donated his time and energy in numerous activities in service to others. He also served the Utah Girl Scout Council in the 1980's as Property Development Committee Chair, helping to develop the Master Site Plan for the future development of all Girl Scout properties and camps. After retirement he volunteered at Habitat for Humanity 2-3 days a week and served as Building Committee Chairman and was instrumental in the completion and remodeling of numerous houses in the 90's. During the winter he could be found skiing several days a week.
He loved anything outdoors, hiking, camping, backpacking and skiing which he shared extensively with his wife and daughters Kristin and Karin, for years. He taught his beloved grandson Jeremy these same lessons with yearly summer visits and camping trips to numerous National Parks. He was an avid Utah Utes fan and loved attending football games, and gymnastics meets for over 30 yrs. His greatest desire was to ski free at Alta when he turned 80, but Parkinson's disease interfered with his body's participation.
Frank had a wry sense of humor and simple words of wisdom about working hard and looking out for others. He made a positive impact on many people's lives. He always had a positive attitude and never thought of slowing down due to Parkinson's. He was happiest with physical activity and always staying busy.
Through his career, service activities, volunteering and skiing he met numerous people who quickly became lasting friends. Frank and Diane loved to travel after both retired and took numerous trips to see visiting friends all over the U.S, including yearly RV Trek trips across the west and southwest with great friends. They explored the United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, France, China and Costa Rica while making new friends.
Frank is survived by wife Diane, daughters Kristin McElwain, SLC, Karin McElwain-West, St Louis, Missouri, grandson Jeremy West, St Louis, MO, Sister in Law Claudia King (Bill) Dana Point, CA, Brother in Law Durant Emery (Linda) Pasadena, CA and Nieces Kim King, Krickette Fredrick (Mark), and Kelly Romo (Dean), So. Ca, and was preceded in death by his parents Nell and Ferd McElwain.
All family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 18 at Cottonwood Presbyterian Church located at 1580 Vine Street (6000) So, Murray, UT 84121. Reception to follow.
Our heartfelt thanks to all the staff and caregivers at Sunrise Assisted Living in Holladay, UT for their loving care of Frank during his last 2 difficult years.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate your donations to Parkinson Disease research organizations, Utah Girl Scout Council, Habitat for Humanity or The Scholarship Foundation of St Louis.