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Frank Sansom Obituary

Frank Kenneth Sansom
1927-2012
Salt Lake City, UT-Ken Sansom, beloved husband, dad, Papa, brother, uncle and friend passed away Monday, October 8 at Care Source Hospice Facility in Holladay, Utah after suffering a stroke 16 days earlier. He was blessed with consciousness and the ability to express his love and receive the love of the many family members and friends who came to see him during that time. We express gratitude to his nurses, doctors and care providers at IMC and Care Source for having helped him to go "gentle into that good night." We also thank our loving Father in Heaven for the gift of time with Dad/Papa. We stand all amazed at God's economy: the many Iives He touches; the grace, healing and mercy He offers in one event. Ken loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and emulated Him by his kindness and consideration for everyone. It is a farewell for us, but it is a homecoming for dad.
Ken was the first of three children born to "Frank" Arundel Sansom and Emily "Frances" Baird on April 2, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Growing up during the Depression, his family moved in with both sets of grandparents for a time, which fostered a particular affection in Ken for "Mamma and Pappa Baird."
Graduating from East High School in 1944, Ken immediately joined the Navy for the remainder of World War II, serving for 11 months and 26 days and then joining the reserves. Ken began attending the University of Utah in 1945 and then transferred to Brigham Young University two years later, receiving a degree in Broadcasting in 1949. He was later called up for three more years of Navy service in San Diego during the Korean Conflict and worked with the USO, entertaining service members with various celebrities including Bob Hope, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Ken's unique talent for mimicking was apparent early in life. This talent led to a successful career in radio and television that started in earnest at KSL radio in 1957 with the program Sansom and Then Some. In this "talk" show, Ken acted as host, guest and caller, displaying his amazing ability to be anyone from anywhere, male or female. Moving to Los Angeles in 1968, Ken began his television and movie career, playing parts in The Sting, Herbie Rides Again, The Brady Bunch, Days of Our Lives, Murder She Wrote, etc. and becoming the "Commercial King" in the mid 1970s with his versatile voice and "every-man" looks. Ken moved back to Salt Lake City in 1992 and continued his voice-over work from home and local recording studios. His longest running character was as the voice of "Rabbit" for 22 years in Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh television cartoon series and movies.
Ken's most important role, however, was as a loving and devoted husband to Carla, whom he married in 1961. Supporting (and affectionate) cast members include his son and daughter in-law Matthias R. Sansom and Janice H. Sansom of Sandy, UT; his daughter and son in-law Melanie Sansom Smith and Steven D. Smith of Idaho Falls, ID; and daughter Melissa Sansom also of Idaho Falls, ID. Additional credits go to his brother John S. Sansom of Holladay, and sister Joy Sansom of Murray. Nine grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren are his greatest fans.
The family will greet guests Friday evening, October 12th, from 6-8pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park (3401 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, UT). The funeral will be held Saturday, October 13th, at 11am in the Brighton 8th Ward Chapel (2895 E. Creek Road, Sandy, UT). Family will be available to visit an hour prior to services. Interment follows at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund 50 E. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Oct. 11 to Oct. 12, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Frank Sansom

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June 7, 2013

Thank you for the childhood memories. You will always be remembered as a nice guy as well as a great and talented entertainer. You are my inspiration and my hero. You will always be my favorite "Rabbit" <3 Cassidy

Melanie Sansom Smith

October 17, 2012

Thank you all for taking the time to write a note in this guest book. I am very touched by your kind remarks. You continue to confirm the high opinion I have of my dad's character. He always noticed individuals and treated everyone with respect and kindness. Thank you again for noticing his passing and sharing your feelings or experiences with him!
Sincerely,

Gregg McArthur

October 14, 2012

Ken was a great missionary companion as we served in the Santa Monica Stake. Ken had the ability to see into the heart and know of the good in everyone. He was a great friend and an inspiration to all of us serving with him as stake missionaries. His influence will last for many generations.

Thomas Thulin Sr.

October 13, 2012

To the family of Ken I express my sorrow, I lived next door to him while he was living with his mom and dad on Herbert Ave. I still remember the many voices he would talk to us "kids" in. When he did his commercials for Delmonte etc. I felt proud to know him and the shows I saw him in too. My heart is heavy for his passing, even though our paths and age were so far apart.
Thanks for the good laughs and friendship to a kid.
Thomas Thulin

Vasilios Emmnauel Glimidakis

October 12, 2012

Dear Sansom and other families,
I am sorry for your loss. He will be known and forever to the ages as the voice of Rabbit from Winnie-the-Pooh. God bless him and his family.

Orian Collinsworth

October 12, 2012

Frank was one of my first customers and will be greatly missed. I remember him from the first time he came in my store 16 years ago. We were advertising fresh salmon that day and he stepped into the store and in a unique delivery say's " where's the salmon". Since that day he visited many times and I recognized the he was one of those people that made you feel bigger and better just being in his presence.

My condolences to those of you who knew him best. He will be greatly missed.

Orian

October 12, 2012

Dear Carla,I feel privileged to have known Ken. He always made me smile with his quick wit and humorous responses during cansual conversations. My love and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow.
Naomi Feigal

Darol and Loree Wagstaff

October 12, 2012

Rest In Peace Ken. We love you and pray for blessings to be with Carla and the Sansom family.

Kent Lyon

October 11, 2012

Dear Carla, I meet Ken in the early 1960's when we did printing for his radio show at my fathers print shop. Then a few years ago I was able to meet Ken and you again as I did Handyman work at your home in Monte Luca. I always loved coming to your home and especially how both of you always greeted me and of course the hugs that Ken always gave me. I will miss the friendship that Ken and I have had these past years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family at this time.

Ken was the voice of The Candleman in the Evergreen Holiday Classics

Christopher Robin Miller

October 11, 2012

Ken was a great friend, example and mentor to me. I am so grateful that I was able to know him and learn so much about the craft from him. I even had the privilege of working with him on a few animation projects. He was kind, gracious and deeply in touch with the magic of a child's imagination. If you weren't already related to him, you wanted to adopt him as an extra grandpa! I will always be grateful to know him.

Stefanie Black

October 11, 2012

My dear friend Ken visited me every month for fifteen + years. He was a confidant, counselor, advisor, entertainer, & stand in dad. I was his hairstylist. We shared experiences and wisdom and a lot of laughs and even though our backgrounds were very different we bridged that gap with compassion and love. Ken will continue to be an inspiration in my life and even though I already miss him terribly, I celebrate his journey home. God Speed my Friend. x

Daryl Frame

October 11, 2012

I knew your dad in his KSL days, was a great person. His talent was one of the best in the business. Please accept my gratitude for having the privilege of knowing him, he will be misses.

October 11, 2012

Dear Melanie and Family,
We love you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love, John and Kathleen Gee

Ryan Purcell

October 11, 2012

My deepest sympathies go out to Carla and the family at the loss of their husband and father. Ken's passing saddens me beyond expression. For 20 years, I was privileged to count Kenny as one of my dearest friends. Since he returned to Utah in 1992, it was my honor and pleasure to have him in my studio countless times to record, and to watch him transform into his many characters was pure magic. They were all his friends, especially his beloved Rabbit, of whom he was fiercely protective. He never failed to greet me with a big smile, a bigger hug and a sincere "Hello, my friend." We spent countless hours talking about his wonderful wife, who I had the pleasure of meeting, and he spoke frequently of his children. He was an amazing man, a true artist and a dear friend.

Ken Day

October 10, 2012

I served my mission in LA in 1968.I have always thought of both Brother and Sister Sansom, over the years, and their young family. The Sansoms would have the missionaries over for breakfast every Saturday morning. I am so sorry for your families loss. May the Lord Bless an comfort you all.
Elder Ken Day

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