Max Dee Fraughton

Max Dee Fraughton, loving father, husband, died peacefully in his sleep after a courageous fight with cancer, and returned triumphantly to his Heavenly Father on May 15, 2023. Always devoted and considerate of others, he caringly waited until the day after Mother’s Day not to

steal his wife Margarete’s special moment!

 

Born on March 13, 1941 in Heber, Utah, Max was the first of six children and the sole son born to Dee and Elma Fraughton. His sisters all loved him dearly while enduring his incessant but good-natured teasing.

 

From the day he could turn a wrench, Max was working on cars, swapping out engines and drag racing before and after class at Mission Bay High School in San Diego, California. Once Max turned 18, his parents, who loved him very much, encouraged him to be independent, so they

started charging him rent. In an act of rebellion, he enlisted in the US Army as a paratrooper (he sure showed them!) and left the nest for Fort Bragg as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1959.

 

Max was assigned to Baumholder, Germany in 1962, where he met the love of his life, Margarete, who worked at the cafeteria. His first attempt at a pass was met with rejection - but as he showed persistence in all his life endeavors - he wooed her with his charms and won

Margarete over, enough to convince her to leave her home and family and start one of their own in San Diego. They were married on November 23, 1962. Max and Margarete raised three daughters and one son and moved to Kaysville, Utah in 1976 where they resided in the same

home for over 47 years. He enjoyed the delicious food which was prepared at Margarete’s hands, often heard saying “the best part about it is the taste!”

 

Max was loved and revered by anyone that he came into contact with - which was as countless as the mileage he put on his trucks for his hotshot cargo trucking business. He could - and did - strike up conversations with random strangers, who were able to enjoy his gregarious nature, twinkling smile, playful boyish charm and signature gravelly voice that echoed and typified his larger-than-life presence. While he had a passion for aviation and worked in the civil service as an Air Traffic Controller for over 24 years, he is most proud of his hotshot trucking tenure. His 2011 GMC Sierra passed over 1 million miles - and he loved the open road while listening to classic country and enjoying many sunrises and sunsets. While he was outgoing and spoke to anyone he could, he treasured his moments of solidarity and pensive times to “get away from it all”.

 

In between trips in his truck, he maintained an active lifestyle, going on walks in the neighborhood with his wife and neighbors. They were basically King Clarion Neighborhood celebrities, as they waved and greeted anyone who happened to be outside and saw them.

Prior to his long walks phase, he ran several marathons - and even completed the Saint George Marathon at the age of 44. One of his favorite photographs is of him crossing the finish line, exhausted and relieved all at the same time. While Max lived his life on earth “full throttle”, his

never-quit attitude was manifested in his fight with cancer. Even in Hospice Care at Fairfield Village in his last month, he could be seen standing up and sitting down, putting on his coat and

 

wanting to be ready to go on his next cargo trucking run. After a blessing and finally feeling ready to go, Max laid peacefully in his bed - looking relaxed and calm for the first time in months. He truly mirrored the end of the marathon in his demeanor and decided it was time to

slip away.

 

Max is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Margarete, his three daughters Christina (“Tina”), Michelle, Tanja and his son Jason (his wife, Tami) Fraughton, and many grand dogs and grand cats. He is also survived by four of his sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents Dee

and Elma and his sister Kaye Fraughton Nielson.

 

A heartfelt thanks go out to the staff of Fairfield Village in Layton, Utah and Inspiration Hospice - who gave Max the most tender of care. With every pill, bed check and meal delivery - he never failed to say “thank you”. The family has felt and is grateful for the prayers of neighbors and

loved ones during Max’s last days on Earth - and we all know he’s just going on another 1 million mile plus journey.

 

Memorial services will be held on May 20, 2023, with services starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Kaysville 10th Ward Chapel, 1039 E. Crestwood Road, Kaysville. Prior to the funeral, there will be visitation with the family from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

 

Graveside service will be held on the same day at 3:00 p.m. at the Kaysville City Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Max's many animal grandchildren, donations can be made to Rescue Rovers (a 501c3 animal rescue organization), at https://www.rescuerovers.org/donate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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