Walter James Frandsen, also known as Banjo Jim, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family members on August 26, 2023. He was born on January 1, 1936 in Hammond, Indiana, the son of Walter Niels Frandsen and Edna Smith Frandsen. He was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah by his mother as an only child following his parents' divorce. Jim and his mom were a great team while he was growing up.
He earned his Eagle Scout Award at age thirteen and went to the University of Utah as a Ford Scholar, skipping his senior year of high school. As a freshman at the University of Utah, he played trombone in the Ute Marching Band. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering followed by an MBA. He later earned a Ph.D. in Human Behavior.
Jim met the love of his life, Lori, at a Church dance in Salt Lake City. After moving to San Diego to work for General Atomics in 1963, Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In 1964 Jim and Lori were married in Salt Lake City and later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. She was his bride for 59 wonderful years.
After his employment at General Atomics, Jim was employed at Solar Turbines where he created a department which served as a place of refuge and provided resources to help employees struggling with problems outside the workplace. After retiring he taught classes part time at the University of San Diego that helped students identify their goals and map out their futures.
His Church callings included working with the youth as Scoutmaster and Aaronic Priesthood advisor. He led the Scouts on an epic Rim to Rim to Rim hike in the Grand Canyon. He later served as Bishop of the Cardiff 1st Ward and then the Cardiff 2nd Ward. Jim said being a bishop was the best job in the Church.
Jim is survived by his bride Lori, and their two children, Debi (Jeffrey) Leggat and Jimmy (Linda) Frandsen. Jim and Lori have nine grandchildren. Debi’s children are Kelsey Leggat, Nicole Leggat, Kimy (Ray) Pintea, and Robby Leggat. Jimmy’s children are Brianne (Travis) Kingery, J.T. (Lindsay) Frandsen, Ethan Frandsen, Jenna Frandsen and Eli Frandsen. They have one great granddaughter, Lucia Frandsen, and a second great granddaughter is on the way.
Jim's contagiously optimistic attitude and love for life and people was his gift to everyone he met.
Jim’s funeral service will be held Friday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cardiff building, 1444 Lake Drive in Cardiff, CA. The viewing will be held one hour prior at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at the El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd., San Diego, CA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com for the Frandsen family.
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