May 26, 1935, to September 15, 2018
Frank E. Major passed away Sept. 14, at the age of 83 by natural causes at his home in Thatcher, surrounded by his family.
Frank was born in Cottonwood, Arizona, on May 26, 1935. He moved to Morenci in 1950 and graduated from Morenci High School in 1954. He Married Camilla Ann Williams on Jan. 25, 1957 (61 years) and was drafted by the Army in 1957, where he served four years in the National Guard.
He worked at the Morenci Mine as a boilermaker for 27 years. In 1983, he moved back to Cottonwood and finished his work career as a track foreman for the Verde Valley Railroad, which runs between Clarkdale and the southern railroad spur in Drake, Arizona.
Frank lived life through simple pleasures. After retiring, he moved to Thatcher, where he spent the winters and each summer returning to his house in Luna, New Mexico, that he purchased back in 1952 while working at the mine. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rock hunting, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. He often spoke of fond memories of his hunting, fishing, and camping experiences as a youth with his dad, mom, and brother Norman on the upper Blue River. He will be forever remembered for his stories and life lessons that he shared with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Camilla Major; daughter, Pam Rivera, of Casa Grande; son, David Major, of Tucson; and his sister, Myrna, of Colorado; sister-in-law, Debra Sanchez; brother-in-law, Tony Sanchez; and nieces and nephews, Chelsea, Aaron, and Joseph, along with four grandchildren, Adrian Rivera, Jordan Rivera, Dylan Major, and Madison Major; and three great-grandchildren, Christopher, Adrian, and Blayze.
