Franklin Philbrick

Franklin Philbrick, 95 of Montrose, CO went to meet his maker and was freed from this earth on June 29, 2025.

Born to Benjamin and Amelia Stille Philbrick in Longmont, CO, March 1, 1930. The family settled in Ord, Nebraska through Frank’s childhood and into adulthood. The Philbrick family lived on a big farm in Valley County, Neb., where Frank grew up around many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Frank wanted to serve his country as his brother Pvt Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Philbrick served in World War 11. Teddy died July 6, 1944 in battle at Normandy, France in the 313th Infantry, 79th division.

After high school Frank joined the Navy on September 14, 1948. He spent 3 years, 11 months on the USS Midway stationed out of Norfolk, Virginia. The ship spent most of the time in the Mediterranean before the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on July 31, 1952. He then returned to Ord and drove a gravel truck until moving to Montrose, CO in the 60’s.

Franklin partnered with his brother-in-law Archie Hopkins to run Blair’s Truckstop until he went to work for the City of Montrose.

Frank married Ruby Floy Burdick on January 24, 1970. Ruby had four children from a previous marriage. They were later blessed with a son, Ben Philbrick.

After 25 years with the City of Montrose, Frank retired to enjoy many years of fishing, car hobbies, meals at Starvin Arvin’s, and yard sales. If you needed it, he would find it. We do not have the room to list all the vehicles that Frank has traded in his day.

Frank and his sister Viola made many trips back to Nebraska to visit their large family and hosted them here in Colorado too. This was always a highlight of summer. You could always find Frank in a good card game.

Frank was a kind generous person always showing up at family gatherings with food, beverages and treats to share. His good dog Tiny was a constant companion.

Frank’s two grandsons, August and Ashton Philbrick were the highlight of his later years.

Preceding Franklin in death are his parents, Ben and Amelia Philbrick, brother Theodore Philbrick, wife Ruby Philbrick, sister Viola Hopkins Pinney and Archie Hopkins, brother Harold Philbrick, and Tamara Lynn Lujuan.

He is survived by his son, Ben and Heather Philbrick, grandsons August and Ashton of Montrose, Tori Burdick of Stockton, CA, Wayne Hugh Burdick and J. and Brenda Burdick of Elko, NV, granddaughters, Samantha Labrum, and Victoria Bernazzani, nephew Charles Hopkins, Camas, Washington, Dalla Hopkins-Ross of Texas, great nieces and nephews of Montrose, Denver, and Texas.

Services will be held to honor Franklin on Sunday, July 6, at 3 p.m., Montrose Event Center, 648 S. 1st street. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Hope West Montrose.

Franklin was loved by many and will be missed!