Francis M. Gibbons, American biographer, Died at 95

Francis Marion (“Frank”) Gibbons was born on April 10, 1921, and died on July 16, 2016.

He was an American biographer.

He was the secretary to the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1970 to 1986 and a church general authority from 1986 until 1991.

Francis native of St. Johns, Arizona, Gibbons received degrees from Stanford University and the University of Utah and practiced law in Utah for eighteen years.

During 1970, he had served as the secretary to the First Presidency to replace Joseph Anderson, who had been the secretary since 1922 but who had become an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

He served as secretary to the First Presidency until March 1986, when he retired and was succeeded by F. Michael Watson.

After a week at the church’s April general conference, Gibbons was called as a general authority and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.

Francis was transferred to the newly created Second Quorum of the Seventy, in April 1989.

During October 1991, he was honorably released from service in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as a general authority of the church.

Also, he served in the church as a bishop, stake president and patriarch.

Francis the author of 19 books, including a biography of Jack Anderson and a Prophets of God series about the presidents of the LDS Church.

He was married to Helen Bay and they are the parents of four children.

Francis M. Gibbons passed away at 95 years old.