Franklin Sommer

Franklin Delano Sommer

July 23, 1938 – March 19, 2026

Our beloved Franklin let us on March 19, 2026, passing peacefully in his sleep.

Franklin was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Fred Henry and Charlotte Louise Sommer. Franklin attended South High School where he loved to pull pranks on his friends and teachers. One of his favorite high school anecdotes involved him and his fellow loveable "thugs" who dumped a crateload of schoolbooks into the well of the overhead light fixture, causing it to crash to the floor. Their teacher, a wise and patient man said, "Boys, you've done wrong. Why don't we just take the day off and reconvene tomorrow?" Franklin later said, "That teacher, from that moment on, had the total respect from everyone in that classroom."

Franklin enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1956 and proudly served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. BON HOMME RICHARD, and was in active duty from 1956 to 1959, and served in the reserves until honorably discharged in 1962. He married the love of his life, Deanna Stirling, soon after she graduated on June 15, 1960, in the company of their dear friends Sherron and Myrle Pace, Joe Kinder and Colleen Nevin. The bond between Franklin and Deanna lasted over 64 glorious years. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Franklin and Deanna had their marriage sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in March of 1997.

Franklin worked for the Salt Lake County Engineering Department as a highly respected and thorough inspector of our roads and bridges for 27 years. He was very committed to his work, which required him to be at the job site any time contractors were working. This meant long days and Saturdays during the construction season. Prior to that, he worked at EMCO as a machinist.

Franklin and his beloved wife, Deanna, were deeply devoted to the LDS Church and I their later years, fulfilled thousands of Baptisms, Confirmations, Initiatories, Endowments and Sealings.

Throughout his life, Franklin had a passion for the sport of golf. He played in tournaments in his younger years, and then later with family and friends whenever they could get a chance. He wielded a golf club like a baseball bat, and it usually worked. Franklin was a great collector. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps and was a member of The Utah Numismatic Society in the 70's and 80's. He loved looking at and buying new cars while spending time at the dealerships. This was reflected in his collection of model cars. He also loved memorabilia from Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He loved any time spent in the company of his darling wife, Deanna, and they both traveled the world, often taking trips with family and friends.

Franklin was preceded in death by his wife, Deanna, and, father and mother, Fred and Charlotte Sommer, brother Ronald (Pat) and brother-in-law Matt Maathius. He is survived by his sister Beliwa Maathius, brother Stephen (Lorna); son Daniel (Christine); grandchildren Brock (Kira) Sommer, Blake (Suzy) Sommer, Bryan Sommer, and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing is scheduled for the evening of March 27th at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the following day, March 28 at 10:00 to 10:45. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray. Interment at Murray City Cemetery, 5490 South Vine Street, Murray, Utah.

The family wishes to express deep gratitude to Legacy House of South Jordan and Independence Home Health and Hospice. Frank's family would like to request that in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer's Association would be greatly appreciated.