Franklin Knowlton

Franklin W. Knowlton

1922 - 2018

Franklin Whitesides Knowlton was born November 12, 1922 to loving parents, Mary Edwina Whitesides and Franklin Richards Knowlton in Layton, Utah. He died February 28, 2018 at the grand age of 95. He was a charming, hardworking, family-loving man, and to fully appreciate his long life while you read on, you should be sipping a cold, sweet root beer and eating a large bar of chocolate.

Throughout his life, Franklin was a builder.

As the first son of 6 children, he was the bridge of solidarity among his siblings. He was their go-to guy for answers, ideas, plans, and support.

For 40+ years, Franklin built bridges. He had begun working in construction at the age of 8, hired by his father to totter along narrow roof beams delivering water to the men re-building the Davis County Courthouse. After the war, he joined his dad in "FR Knowlton and Son", constructing bridges and buildings. He later formed his own "Knowlton Company”.

Franklin was also a builder of homes. Combining this ability with his love for land he placed his final family home "on the creek" - a serene plot of land in Layton where he raised his family and lived for over 50 years.

As an LDS Bishop and Stake High Councilor, Franklin was a builder of character. He was known for being untiringly dedicated to his fellow men and genuinely striving to foster strength and peace.

Franklin was a builder of nations and answered the call to serve when freedom was threatened.  He served as the navigator on a B-24, flying fuel and supplies “over the hump” of the Himalayas in the China, Burma, India theater of WWII.

While serving over 20 years in the Utah House of Representatives, Franklin was a builder of community. In his politics he was reliable, honest, consistent, conservative, selfless and confidant and counselor to governors and fellow legislators.

Above all, Franklin was a builder of family. He married Faun Reynolds and had two children, Franklin Reynolds' Renny' and Janice 'Jan'. After Faun passed away he married Joy Plannette and had four more children, Kevin Franklin, Ethan Franklin, Jacob Franklin, and Maggie Joy, and spent the next 55 years by each other’s side until Joy’s death in 2007. They have 26 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. His family was his treasure.

Franklin built timeless memories for all of us. We treasure them as we mourn his loss and celebrate his return home to his loved ones and Father in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings Esther (Dick) Graehl, Mary (Jerome) Christensen, Martha Carlsruh Brooke, Richard (Marlene) Knowlton, Ute Knowlton, his wives, and an infant daughter, Mary Edwina. The last living member of the family is Ute's wife Gail Whitesides Knowlton who is cherished by all.

His legacy will be honored and carried on by his children, Renny (Vicki) Knowlton, Jan (Dan) Christensen, Kevin (Kay) Knowlton, Ethan (Julie) Knowlton, Jacob (Katrina) Knowlton, and Maggie (Rett) Thorpe, and his many, many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Holmes Creek Stake Center, 125 Chapel Street, Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd. and Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.