Francis Justin "Fran" Jason, born on February 2, 1932, in Bedford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2024, in Santa Ana, California, at the age of 92. 

 

In the late 1940s, Fran moved with his mother, stepfather, and half-sister Hope to Santa Ana, California. He graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1951 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord and Fort Lewis from November 1952 until the Fall of 1954. In 1956, Fran enrolled as a freshman at Santa Ana College, setting the stage for a life marked by curiosity and life-long learning.

 

Fran worked for the Pacific Telephone Company, where he earned recognition in 1973 for developing a map book that greatly aided installation and maintenance personnel. His innovation was distributed company-wide and reflected his resourcefulness and commitment to detail.

 

In 1972, Fran married Alicia Torres of Santa Ana, with whom he shared a devoted partnership until her passing. In the late 1980s, he purchased a home in Hemet, California, where he lived intermittently before returning to Santa Ana full-time in 2020 to care for Alicia during her illness.

 

A man of diverse interests, Fran was an avid collector of cars, boats, Lionel train sets, and model airplanes. He loved visiting National Parks during cross-country adventures and cherished summers spent on Cape Cod. Fran also enjoyed going to the movies—especially double features—and had a lifelong fondness for coffee ice cream.

 

Fran was predeceased by his parents, Blanche (Clifford) Hall Jason and Justin Francis Jason; his half-sister Hope (Hall) Morgan; and his beloved wife Alicia (Torres) Jason. He is survived by his stepbrother Terry Rhodes, his half-nephew Jeffrey Morgan, and his half-niece Cherrie Morgan.

 

A rosary and prayer vigil will be held on Wednesday, January 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Saint Anne Catholic Church, 1344 S Main St., Santa Ana. A funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, January 9, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., at the same location, with burial at Santa Ana Cemetery at 1:30 p.m., located at 1919 E Santa Clara Ave., Santa Ana.

 

In remembrance of Fran’s life, donations may be made to Make-A-Wish of Orange County and the Inland Empire. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.