Franklin David Cagle

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Franklin David Cagle, age 74 of Riverton, Utah, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 1, 2023, after a long, intense and brave battle with metastatic melanoma cancer.

Frank was born May 27, 1948, to Mansel William Cagle and Nanny Elizabeth Israel Cagle in Albertville, Alabama.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Mansel and Nan Cagle. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dana, and his two sons, Christopher Cagle (Arial), Nevin Cagle, grandson, Ashton Cagle, all of Riverton, Utah, one sister, Marilyn Larson of Titusville, Florida and one brother, James Cagle of Chickamauga, Georgia and many relatives and friends whom he loved dearly.

Frank was a proud veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Infantry Division in the Vietnam war zone from May 1970 to March 1971. In 2016 during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War he was honored for his service by former Utah Congresswoman Mia Love presenting him with nine service awards. Frank was most proud of the Combat Infantry Badge.

After his time of service, he went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management. He had over 25 years of experience in management of high-speed manufacturing and assembly operations plants.

Frank was a master fly-fisherman, learning to tie his own flies for fly fishing which he used on rivers all over the country. He loved fly fishing in the lower Provo River and going on many guided fishing tours in national parks with his son, Nevin. Frank’s love of automotive restoration began in the 90’s when he along with his friend Glen, restored a 1964 Stingray Corvette to pristine condition, which fostered an interest in automotive craftsmanship for his son Nevin. Frank and Christopher both shared a love and skill for aviation photography. This led them both to make a trip in July of 2018 to Fairford, England for the RIAT air show and photographed aircraft from around the world. They made trips to Star Wars Canyon, Nellis Red Flag, and many other air shows photographing some of the rarest operational aircraft in the world.

His other outdoor activities included snow skiing, teaching both of his sons how to ski when they were children. He loved hiking especially when he was accompanied by his sons and his best friend Richard, who would fly in from Alabama just to hike with Frank. Frank consistently maintained his physical fitness by engaging in aerobics, weightlifting and yoga until his cancer worsened. He was a high school football official in five different states for 17 years.

A viewing will take place on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral service at 12:00 noon at Larkin Mortuary of Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South, Riverton, Utah. Interment to follow at Utah Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the expert care provided by the aides, nurses and physicians at the Veterans Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Active Hospice Care, especially Kaitlyn and Summer.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Cancer Research Center.

To view the recorded service, please click on the blue "Watch Services" tab above.