Colin Frankum

12/29/1929 — 8/23/2024

Service Date: 9/7/2024
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Our beloved Colin G. Frankum, “Frank” to family, passed away July 23, 2024. He was born to Reginald and Florence (Wilson) Frankum on Dec. 29, 1929, in Beddington, England.

Colin’s earliest childhood memory was having to sleep in their bomb shelter every night, and of being taken to live with strangers out on a farm somewhere outside of London. This was done to protect children during the Blitz in World War II, but Colin’s mother couldn’t bear this so she brought him home.

Colin joined the Royal Air Force at age 17. He quickly became well trained on combustion and diesel engines. After serving eight years, he worked for British Auto Parts. In 1965, he was transferred to European Parts in New Jersey to manage their parts department. He eventually moved to California and worked for Southern Pacific Railroad in Lancaster, Calif., where he met his future wife, Evelyn Johnson and her three children.

Colin and Evelyn married in 1973 and moved to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley in 1978. Together they started C&E Auto Tune-up. He later worked for Copeland Ford, Callahan Auto Repair, Able Automotive and the Lewiston Tribune. Although Colin officially retired at age 65, he couldn’t pass up the job of babysitting his newborn grandson, Brandon Fox.

Colin loved music and dancing and was a member of the Square Devils Square Dance Club and also took salsa lessons. He loved to play golf and was an avid reader. He enjoyed camping and traveling with family and was always up for a game night.

He especially loved listening, talking and playing with the children and grandpa always had a candy in his pocket.

Although quiet, he was honest, hard working, loving, caring and was a truly good man, He will be missed by many.

Colin is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Christopher Hoyle, nephew Steven Hoyle; and daughter-in-law Donna Cobbs Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Frankum, of Clarkston; sister Gloria Hoyle, Melbourne, Australia; son James Johnson, Rochester, Wash.; daughter Anna-Lisa (Martin) Hines, Clarkston; daughter Stina-Lisa (Anthony), Maple, Ariz.; seven grandchildren: Brittni (Jay) Zimmerman, Warrensberg, N.Y.; Brandon Fox, Moscow; Caleigh (Nick) Atkinson, Boise; Jeffrey (Marissa) Franks, Deer Park; Jayson Franks, Spokane; Hayley Johnson, Lewiston, and Sierra, Maple, Ariz.; as well as seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life luncheon with friends and family at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Congregational Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston.