Frank Clayton Gilmore

1924 - 2016

Captain Frank "Red" Gilmore
USN (RET)
Frank Clayton Gilmore passed away on April 6, 2016 after a long and full life. Frank was born to Ralph Clayton Gilmore and Hazel Virginia Baker in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1924. Called Red because of his flaming red hair, he was raised and attended school in Los Angeles, playing baseball and basketball at Washington High. Red graduated from high school in January 1942 and was employed building dive bombers for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. He entered the Navy in November 1942 as a naval aviation cadet. His training took him to Arizona, Kansas, Texas and California. He was commissioned an Ensign USNR and designated a Naval Aviator on July 12, 1944. He was assigned to carrier based torpedo bombers and stationed in Quonset Point, RI. He was aboard a carrier at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese surrendered on August 14, 1945.
During his flight training in Texas Frank met the love of his life, Ava Lena Peterson. Ava was a WAVE and his instructor, operating flight simulators during his training. They married in Los Angeles on June 6, 1945. After WWII, they attended Utah State Agricultural College in Logan. Red played center for the basketball team at Utah State for 3 years. In 1948 upon graduation, Red returned to service in the US Navy, and served 31 years of active duty. He served in Korea and two tours in Viet Nam on the USS Yorktown. He retired on September 30, 1976 after serving as CO of the University of Utah Naval ROTC unit for 3 years. During his career he was separated from his family a total of 5 1/2 years while deployed to the Western Pacific. His comment upon retirement was, "It would have been a great job if it hadn't been for the ships."
After retiring Frank and Ava made their home in the Canyon Rim area where they were active in church, community and military activities. Frank served as a volunteer at the Fort Douglas Military Museum for over 40 years.
Frank joined the LDS Church during WWII and has been an active member since. Frank and Ava's marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple in 1948. Ava died in 2004 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Frank is survived by 5 children, Scott (SLC), Douglas & Leslie (Murray), Sandra (Portland, OR), Michael & Lori (Manchester, CT) and Suzanne & Michael Earl (Murray). His wife, Ava and daughter, Cathy Gilmore preceded him in death. At his death, Frank & Ava have 22 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016 at 11:00am at the Canyon Rim 3rd Ward, 3051 South 2900 East. Friends and family are invited to visit Friday evening 6:00-8:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church Saturday morning 9:30am-10:30am prior to the service. Interment service will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Guestbook to post messages and tributes for the family is available at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com