Joseph, a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away at home on Jan 1, 2023 in Brea, California at the age of 96 of natural causes.
Born April 12, 1926 in Washington D.C. to Linnie Ella Largin and Joseph Milton France Sr. He joined the Navy at 17 and served in the 115th Batallion SeaBees. He was stationed in many locations throughout the Philippines. After his honorable discharge at the end of WWII, Joseph worked as a cowboy and hunting guide on many ranches in Wyoming where he met the love of his life, Virginia Sorensen. They married April 14, 1951, later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple.
Joseph was a truck driver for ICX Trucking for 30 years covering 3 million miles, accident free. After he retired from truck driving, he worked maintenance for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served 2 Stake Missions for the Church.
Joseph is survived by his 7 children: Joseph, Michael, David, Kerry, Debra, Shelley and Jacques, 26 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia and their son Steven.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be a visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 am prior to the services. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Joe,
I was a Brea police officer (now retired). I would often park at the LDS church on Poplar to take my lunch break and write my police reports. I met you when you were one of the groundskeepers at the church. I enjoyed the times we would chat, and I loved your dogs, Abbie and Rex. It was a pleasure to have known you Joe. Soft and safe be thy resting place. RIP Joe!
Your friend,
Dave Herrera