Longtime valley resident Franklin Jay Christensen, 85, passed away on September 12, 2017.  He was born on March 17, 1932 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jay Franklin and Bessie Frances Hutchins Christensen.  He graduated from Sanford High School where during his time there he was on the basketball team that made two state championship appearances.  Following high school, he honorably served his country in the United States Army. 

Frank was a very involved member of his church and had held many calling in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was a former president and active member of Rotary for many years.  Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the mountains, camping, sharpening knives and chainsaw chains and guns and making hay derricks.  He loved his family and especially loved his time with his grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife Richelle Christensen, of the family home, his daughter Dana (Bryan) Crawford of Rye, Colorado, his sister, Lois Ann (Bill) Hull of Broomfield, Colorado, daughter-in-law, Jane Christensen, mother-in-law Joyce Richardson, as well as his grandchildren, Keith Christensen, Tyler Christensen, Shiloh Crawford, Hillary Crawford, Melissa Otteson, Jadi Hancock, Tiffany Ward and Paige Bentley as well as 17 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild as well as numerous extended family members.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Luella Hutchinson, son, Andy Christensen, grandparents, Jesse Cerenus and Nellie Jane Hutchins, nephew, Neil Hull and father-in-law Melvin Richardson, Sr.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday September 16, 2017 at the La Jara First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday September 15, 2017 at the Rogers Family Mortuary in Manassa and prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the church on Saturday.  To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com

Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.