Frank Skeen Blair

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle Frank Skeen Blair passed away peacefully at home in Layton on May 9, 2022, at the age of 93. He was born in Ogden, Utah on July 2, 1928, to James Clifford and Charlotte Skeen Blair and grew up on a farm in nearby Marriott. He learned to work hard taking care of chickens, herding sheep, and delivering milk from a young age. He attended Marriott and Wilson Schools, Wahlquist Junior High, and Weber High School, where he participated in debate, drama, basketball, and football.

He attended Weber College, Brigham Young University, and the University of Utah, culminating in a doctorate in education from BYU. By both profession and vocation, he was an educator. He started his career teaching elementary school in Ogden and was later principal at Washington School. He also taught at Weber State College. He finished his education career as an administrator for Ogden City School District and the Utah State Office of Education. His most important students were his children, whom he taught to work hard, serve others, and be well-rounded. After “retiring,” he had a second career in real estate development, including building Mulligan’s Golf on the old family farm with his brother and nephew.

Frank and his beloved wife Bonnie were married on June 12, 1979, in the Ogden Utah Temple. They would have celebrated their 43rd anniversary in June and are the proud parents of four children and nine grandchildren, who were always Frank’s priority.

Frank was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life. One of his most formative experiences was serving as a missionary without “purse or scrip” in the California Mission. He was later called to serve with Bonnie in the California Oakland-San Francisco Mission. Among his other service in the Church, he was bishop of the Layton 29th Ward. He enjoyed sharing his skills as a teacher and spent many years in Sunday School and teacher improvement callings. Whatever he was called to do, he adopted with enthusiasm. He was also famous for sharing the bounty of his large garden with his neighbors and those in need.

He was a patriot in the best sense of the word, having served on active duty in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard LST 975. One of his shipboard experiences as a young ensign was shared in LDS General Conference in 2018 as an example of how to “Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide.” He spent another 30 years in the Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of commander.

He constantly served in the community, including as a member of the Davis County Library board, chair of the Weber County Library board, vice-chair of the Davis County Mental Health board, and a member of the Ogden Rotary Club. For 69 years he regularly donated blood to the American Red Cross in memory of the casualties at Iwo Jima.

He was also active in politics, serving as party chair for the 1st Congressional District and Weber County. He helped recruit many candidates at all levels of government and often took his children out to canvass door-to-door or put up campaign signs.

Frank is survived by his wife Bonnie Muirbrook Blair; his four children, Clifford (Margo) Blair, Preston (Rachel) Blair, Brooke (Aaron) Cope, and Amber (Isaac) Blackhurst; and grandchildren Isaac, Alexander, Margaret, Charlotte, Joshua, Enoch, Austin, and Eve Anne. He is also survived by many of his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved siblings Elizabeth Murray Jacobsen, James C. Blair, Jr., and William S. Blair; and grandson Caleb Cope.

Funeral services will be held Saturday May 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Oak Forest Chapel, 2250 E. 2200 N., Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed at www.lindquistmortuary.com by scrolling to the bottom of Frank’s obituary page.

To honor Frank, donations may be made in his memory to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the American Red Cross. Interment with military honors at the Ogden City Cemetery.

Memories and Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com