Obituary: Honorable Justice D. Frank Wilkins

Honorable Justice D. Frank Wilkins 1924 ~ 2006 With great sadness, we say "good-bye" to our adored husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend. D. Frank, age 81, passed away peacefully in his sleep January 2, 2006. Born April 25, 1924 in Tooele, Utah to Lawrence and Essie May Wilkins. D. Frank had a remarkable legal career and made a significant contribution to the law, politics, and our community. He showed early indications of future community standing when selected as the "typical" American boy model for the patriotic monument now at the City and County Building. D. Frank attended West High School where he was elected Student Body President. After graduating from the University of Utah and George Washington University Law School, he was Deputy County Attorney and started law practice with two dear friends, Sidney G. Baucom and Donald B. Holbrook. Governor Calvin L. Rampton appointed Frank to the 3rd District Court and was named Outstanding Judge of the Year, then as a Justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Frank also served as Democratic State Chairman, as Public Service Commissioner, and Utah State Bar Commissioner. Utah State Bar Members recently honored him as Distinguished Lawyer of the Year. He was practicing law Of Counsel with Berman & Savage at the time of his passing. Engaging in stimulating conversation with the "pals" about politics, the law, and solving the world's problems was his favorite past-time. He will be remembered for his great wit, charm, intelligence, story-telling, humanitarianism, sense of justice, "Frankisms," a heart as big as his smile, and delightful quotations from his beloved Lincoln, Churchill, and Shakespeare. As one colleague said "As a man, he has always been cast in the leading role of integrity...his eloquence is legendary among members of the legal trade." D. Frank is survived by his high-school sweetheart and best friend, Marjorie Wilkins, with whom he celebrated 21 years of marriage. He is also survived by his sister Maxine Langton; children Collin, Denise, Laura; step-son Chad Beatty; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, step-father, T.N. Garfield. Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 6, 2006 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple at noon. Friends may also call one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in Frank's name to your favorite charity. "Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" William Shakespeare.