Pedro G Franco

Our kind and loving husband, brother, dad, grandpa, "Pete" graduated with honors from this life on the morning of February 4, 2025. He passed peacefully even though he had several illnesses. He was 95.

 Pedro was born October 19, 1929 as the 7th of 11 children to Jacobo Franco-Guzman and Maria Garcia-Vasquez in a farming community outside of Encarnacion de Diaz, Jalisco, Mexico. Pedro was an obedient child who loved the animals and crops on the farm. When Pedro was 14, he and his older brother Rumaldo were told by their father to farm the "lower 40" on their own. In their cabin, Pedro quickly learned to cook and thus began his culinary arts. He didn't want to starve. He didn't want to be a farmer all of his life like his father. After he turned 18, he ventured out on his own with only 15 pesos in his pocket. He hopped train after train and stopped in Chino California where he immediately got work on a farm. After working there for about 4 months he met Luis Casillas, who became a lifelong friend. They heard Utah had good mining jobs. They took a bus to Ogden where Ken Uchida took them to his farm in Plain City, where they worked until the harvest was complete. Ken helped them travel to Bingham to get hired by Utah Construction, building the tunnels for the Bingham Copper Mine. Eventually, Pete was hired by Utah Copper Division Kennecott and worked there for 32 years.

 Pete married Gloria Martinez in March of 1953. They are parents to six daughters and three sons. They later divorced. He married Renae Peterson in June of 2000. They enjoyed nearly 25 years of marriage; being together even though their ages or religions weren't the same, they enjoyed each other's company everyday. Their home was filled with devotion, love and laughter. Pedro had many people in his life; family, friends and neighbors. He made friends easily and was quick to meet new neighbors whenever he purchased a home. Pete was a good natured man who shared his garden produce with as many as he could. He was a devout Catholic and served in the St. Terese's parish in Midvale and St. Rose's parish in Layton. During the covid pandemic he viewed Mass daily on the television network EWTN. 

While working at Kennecott he supplemented his income by driving the Catholic school bus to St. Ann's in Sugarhouse and on to Judge Memorial High School. At the time many knew him as Mr. Garcia. In 1984, Pete became a naturalized U.S. citizen and in turn changed his name to Pedro G. Franco instead of Pedro Franco-Garcia. After his work with Kennecott, he worked at golf courses in the southern part of Salt Lake County and at Belmont Hot Springs while he lived in Tremonton. He rose before the sun to be on the job mowing the tee boxes way ahead of the golfers. The best part about working at a golf course was the perk of being able to golf free. 

 Pedro's hobbies were fishing, golfing and gardening. He learned english, sign language, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and auto mechanics. But with all these talents, his best talent was the ability to have a kind heart, soft voice and hearty laugh.

 Pete is survived by his wife, Renae and his daughters: Yolanda (Val) Pollock of Oregon, Carma Franco of Texas, Elena Franco of Utah, Dianna Garcia and Anita (Don) Thorpe of Idaho and with sons Joe Franco of Utah and Francis Franco also of Idaho. 15 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren along with Renae's daughters, Desiree (Zel) Adams and Brittany (Blake) Lewis each of Utah with her 7 grandchildren.

 Preceded in death by Gloria Martinez Burgon and their daughter Christina Garcia Slick, son John Anthony Garcia and their great granddaughter Olivia Slick Bomolo. Each of Pedro's siblings of whom all lived in Mexico; brother's Clemente, Antonio, Rumaldo, Juan and Indalasio and his sister's Natalia, Lydia, Lena, Avalina and Erlinda.

 On Wednesday February 19th will be a Viewing from 7-9 pm at the Forest Hills Ward Relief Society Room at the Stake Center, 1589 East Gentile Street, Layton. The following day, Thursday February 20th, at St. Terese's Catholic Church there will be a Viewing at 11:00 am, a Eulogy at 11:40 am and the Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm. The address is 7832 South Allen Street, Midvale. The burial will be held at the West Jordan City Cemetery 7925 South 1300 West, West Jordan directly after the services.