Hamilton – Frank Stanford, 88, was born Joseph Frank Stanford, September 2, 1924, to Joe and Margaret Stanford in Hamilton. Frank had a twin brother, Thomas Taylor Stanford. The two boys shared a room at The Living Center in Stevensville. The two of them were great joy and amusement for the caring staff at the Center. Tom passed away on November 13, 2012. Frank left early on April 6, 2013 to join him.
Frank met Ann Roth, and they were married on August 29, 1946. After spending their first few months as newlyweds, on a ranch just outside of Jackson, MT, Frank and Ann moved up the West Fork to Alta. They lived up Chicken Creek until they moved down to the old Alta Ranger Station. Frank and Ann were the last residents of the ranger station.
Frank served in the US Navy aboard the battleship, USS Pennsylvania during World War II, along with his twin brother, Tom. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Frank was also a member of IOOF Lodge #48 and Rebekah Lodge #11 of Hamilton.
Growing up, Frank worked for the Bitterroot Stock Farm. After a few months on a ranch in the Big Hole, he worked for the US Forest Service. He also worked in a number of sawmills. He later worked for the Forest Service again before he went to work for the US Postal Service in Hamilton. He retired from the post office in 1979.
Frank is survived by son, Wayne (Karin) Stanford, Stevensville, grandchildren, Shawn (Mendy) Stanford, Council, ID, Chad (Carrie) Stanford, Billings, MT, and great-grandchildren Courtney, Miles, Cami, and Crue; son, Dennis Stanford, Rosebud, MT, grandchildren, James (Allyson) Becker, Fort Knox, KY, Melissa Becker, Billy (Wendy) Stanford Fort Benning, GA, Dwayne (Michelle) Stanford, Rosebud, MT, Denise (Dusty) Brown, Ray Stanford, Mission, MT, Merrie Stanford, Rosebud, MT, and great-grandchildren Allyson, Gidian, Benjamin, Pete, Andrew, Misty, Austin, Sarina, and Byron.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his twin brother, Tom, a granddaughter, and daughter-in-law.
Services will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 4 p.m. at the Daly-Leach Chapel with burial to follow at the Corvallis Cemetery. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.