Francis Packer Obituary

Durango resident Francis Edward Packer died after a lengthy illness Saturday, June 11, 2011, in Durango. He was 81.

Known as "Ed," he was born to William and Vera Packer on July 20, 1929, in Pagosa Springs. He grew up in both Pagosa Springs and Los Angeles.

At a young age, Mr. Packer sold newspapers and worked in grocery stores. Later, he began working as a custodian for North American Aviation, which became Rockwell International.

On Dec. 8, 1950, Mr. Packer married Frances M. Rockhill in Compton, Calif.

The next year, he was drafted into the Army and served for 1½ years in the Korean War. Upon his return, Mr. Packer continued to serve in the reserves.

After his military service, Mr. Packer returned to Rockwell International and worked there until his retirement in 1985. During his career, he worked his way up into the engineering department, where he worked on several shuttles and the Apollo missions.

Upon his retirement, the Packers moved back to Southwest Colorado, settling in Durango.

Mr. Packer enjoyed woodworking and working on church campgrounds. He was an avid Colorado Rockies fan.

A member of the Free Methodist Church, he was active in both the Free Methodist and the Faith Community Church of the Nazarene in Durango.

Mr. Packer is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances M. Packer, of Durango; daughter, Debbie Fry, of Durango; son, Michael Packer, of Anaheim, Calif.; sisters Maralyn Bruckman of Durango and Linda Cook of McAllester, Okla.; brother William Packer of Greenwood, Ark.; five grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service has been held. A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2011, at the Faith Community Church of the Nazarene, 1400 Colorado Highway 172, one mile south of Elmore's Corner.