Francis Stoddard

Francis Merrill “Mel” Stoddard August 26, 1933 – February 25, 2018.  Mel passed away peacefully on February 25, 2018 at the age of 84 surrounded by family and friends.

Mel was born on August 26, 1933, the eldest son of William A. Stoddard and Mildred C. McClain in Auburn, Nebraska.  He spent his childhood growing up on the family farm.  He joined the United States Air Force on Jan 12, 1952 and went on to retire after serving 20 years.  Mel served as an accomplished laboratory technician and research analyst.  He had a varied and interesting career in the Air Force serving in locations around the globe, most notably studying the physiological effects of space travel and the G-force stresses in the development of the next-generation ejection seat while stationed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.  On June 8, 1952 he married Marilyn Gates and they had 6 children together.  He and Marilyn later divorced after 20 years of marriage.

On December 1, 1972 he married Lee Chong Cha and they had two children together.  After retiring from the Air Force they both worked various jobs until eventually realizing their entrepreneurial passion. Together they ran a successful family restaurant in Stockton, Missouri.  Upon retiring in 2012, they both settled in Layton, Utah to enjoy the “golden years” together.

Mel is survived by his three sons and two daughters, Gene Stoddard, Lincoln, Nebraska; Merrill Stoddard and wife Danielle, Kaysville, Utah; Larry Stoddard, Eureka, Missouri; Sandy Studnicka, Lincoln, Nebraska; Deb Kaemmrung and husband Herman, Lincoln, Nebraska, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his brother and two sisters, Bob Stoddard, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Charlotte Stephenson, Nebraska City, Nebraska; Sherry Enke, Nebraska City, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jim Stoddard, Gary Stoddard, and three infant children, Mary Susan and unnamed twin daughters.

Rest in peace Dad. You’ll be missed by all.

The family would like to thank the doctors and wonderful staff at Davis Hospital and Medical Center for their outstanding care and attention during Mel’s last days.  They all brought a calming sense of peace, and it was greatly appreciated.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation in Mel’s name to the American Cancer Society an organization that was near and dear to his heart as he lost his beloved mother to the disease.

A cemetery service in the Springfield Missouri Veterans Cemetery will be determined at a later date with arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary.