Frank Stanley Lane

Frank Stanley Lane passed away on April 26, 2026, in Washington, D.C., surrounded by his family.

Frank was born in Anaconda, Montana, on June 14, 1930. His parents, Stephen and Josephine were Balkan immigrants. He was the youngest of six siblings: Julia, Jean, Francis, Anne, and Stephen.

Growing up in the copper mining town of Anaconda during the Great Depression, Frank learned the value of hard work at an early age. When his father fell ill, Frank decided to leave school in the 8th grade so he could get a job and help support the family. He found work with the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway (BAP) as a "Crew Caller," where his job was to wake the crew members so they would be on time for their shifts.

Sticking with the railroad, Frank started his Carman apprenticeship—a trade he would eventually master and make his career.

He married the love of his life, Doris Mae Ward, on June 21, 1954. They had four daughters together: Melody, Stella, Rosemarie, and Denise.

Frank served our country during the Korean War. He was a private in the Army and was stationed stateside in New Jersey, where he worked as an anti-aircraft gun mechanic and a driver.

After his tour of duty, he returned home to Anaconda, only to find that work with the BAP was slowing down. Working one week, with up to two weeks off, simply wouldn't cut it to support his family. Frank took a Carman job with the Union Pacific Railroad in Salt Lake City. He stayed in a boarding house and sent his paychecks to Doris so she could make arrangements to move the family to Utah.

Once reunited, the family lived in Salt Lake for a while. Eventually, Frank and Doris bought a piece of land in East Layton, where he built his own home.

Frank worked for the U.P. for 43 years until he retired in June 1991. In his entire career of repairing and inspecting rail cars and working derailments, he only called in sick a total of three times: once for the flu, once to be in a friend's wedding, and once to track down an elk he had shot. You’ve never met anyone who could outwork Frank.

Frank spent his retirement with Doris, fishing, exploring Alaska, and making new friends. They eventually built a house in Kenai, Alaska, spending most of their time there and winters in Utah.

Frank was a world traveler. He said that traveling was a "good education" and that he always learned something, whether it was "good, bad, or indifferent." Russia, Australia, and China are just a few of the places Frank visited.

A very talented woodworker, Frank kept busy making furniture, including kitchen tables, cedar chests, beds, lamps, and little rocking chairs for his great-grandchildren.

Frank loved the outdoors. He was a hunter and an incredible fisherman; he grew up ice and fly fishing in Montana, and later in life, he enjoyed fishing the Kenai River as well as netting on the beach with family and friends. His smoked salmon was legendary.

He was a devout Catholic and a member of the American Legion, AMVETS, and the Elks Lodge.

He had many friends and loved to "shoot the breeze," always with a great story to share and a great laugh to go with it. Frank was a big man who lived a big life, but most of all, he had a big heart. He always looked out for his friends, and to him, family was everything. When Frank shook your hand, you felt it; when he spoke, you heard it; and if he was your friend, you knew it.

Frank is survived by his four daughters, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandkids and one on the way.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, wife Doris, and grandson Luke Lane-Lockard.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 210 Chapel Street, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Monday, May 4, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah. A vigil with Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. 

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton.