In Memoriam: Rev. Frank Caron
The Reverend Franklyn Annesifor Caron, longtime member of ELCA Grand Canyon Synod, died peacefully at the age of 91 on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Marley House Hospice in Prescott, AZ.
He was born June 29, 1929 to Annesifor and Ella Caron in Butte, Montana.
Reverend Caron lived a long and storied life. As a trombone player, he was in one of the first High School Marching Bands to march in the Rose Bowl Parade, he won several ball room dancing competitions and loved to croon and entertain anytime he found an empty piano. As a young man he worked for Anaconda Copper in the mines, rode Broncs and Brahma Bulls in few rodeos, was a fireman on steam locomotives, and served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. He married the love of his life, Bette, at the Marine Corp Air Facility, March 16, 1952. Following his service in 1953, they moved back to Montana to raise their family where he returned to work as a locomotive engineer for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Later he ventured out as a small business owner and sales and marketing representative, both in Montana and Arizona after moving to Phoenix in 1971. In 1979 he completed his Bachelors’ Degree in Business at Arizona State University, and entered Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of 51. He pastored churches in Idaho and Arizona before his retirement at 80+ years of age.
Franklyn was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Bette Ann Caron. He is survived by his daughter, Tonie Dunham (husband, Mark); son, Richard Caron (wife, Darcy); grandsons, Christian Dunham, Jordan Dunham (wife, Megan), and Ruben Guerrero; and many close friends.
Franklyn donated his body to Science Care, Medical Research. His cremains will be placed together with those of his wife, at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona.
Due to the many restrictions to travel and gathering the family is not planning a memorial service. A brief graveside service will take place at the Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.
The family requests that any memorial gifts be given to American Lutheran Church of Prescott, Arizona, or Lutheran World Relief at www.donate.lwr.org.
Contact info and address are available for his daughter, Tonie, and son, Richard. Rev. Caron was preceded in death by his wife, Bette.
“Eternal God, your love is stronger than death, and your passion more fierce than the grave. We rejoice in the lives of those whom you have drawn into your eternal embrace. Keep us in joyful communion with them until we join the saints of every people and nation gathered before your throne in your ceaseless praise, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
