Fran Kilgore:
CLASS OF 1953
Madera High SchoolClass of 1953
Madera, CA
Fran's Story
Induction into 43rd Annual Clovis Hall of Fame
September 2018
Each year the community of Clovis honors outstanding citizens for their contribution to the community. This year, on September 15th, Fran Kilgore was inducted into the Clovis Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to the veterans of our community as well as, recognition of her life-long commitment to the community. Her guidance in so many projects, events, and programs throughout her lifetime is a true model of The Clovis Way of Life.
The induction took place at the 43rd Annual Hall Of Fame Award and Community Gala with about 300 people attending.
The award had the following comments about Fran in their program.
Fran Kilgore has served her country well and continues to serve and honor veterans. In high school Fran noticed male classmates dropping out of school and joining the military, some of them going to Korea and never returning home. After graduating from Madera High School in 1953, she joined the Women’s Army Corp on her 18th birthday in October. Fran participated in basic training in Fort Lee, VA and Basic Army Administration at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Fran’s duty assignment was as secretary to the Executive Officer of the Army hospital at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
At West Point Fran met and married Jack Dawes, an Airborne Ranger whose assignment was instructing cadets on survival skills, map reading, and hand-to-hand combat. Jack and Fran have two daughters, Karen Stathem and Laurie Dostinich. Jack was deployed to Vietnam twice. He has been missing in Vietnam since 1966. Fran has spent many hours working with various agencies attempting to recover his remains.
In 1974 Fran married Gary Kilgore and the husband and wife also became business partners, owning F & K Rock and Sand. They built Clovis Stone and Supply and bought EZ Haul Ready Mix and G & J Freight. Fran divorced in 1987 and became sole owner of F & K Rock and Sand.
Fran has been actively involved in the Clovis community as a business woman and volunteer. She is a past president of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce and served on the B...Expand for more
oard of Directors for twelve years. In 1991 Fran Kilgore was honored as the Clovis Business Woman of the Year. In 1992, her company received the award for Woman Owned Business Enterprise of the San Joaquin Valley. Fran was honored as one of Fresno’s Top Ten Business/Professional Women of the Year in 1995.
Fran has been a member of the American Legion for over twenty years. The American Legion is a service organization that serves both veterans and youth. Fran also has been a volunteer at the VA hospital and for two years served in the “No Veteran Dies Alone Program”. She sat with hospice patients whose family could not be there so they would not be alone as they passed away.
Fran has held various positions in the American Legion, currently holding the position of Judge Advocate at Clovis Cecil Cox Post 147. Fran has earned the Clovis Post recognition and awards for retention and acquiring of new members. She also currently serves as the District 14 Finance Officer as well.
Fran plays an instrumental role in the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest, serving at the Post level and as Area Commissioner. For the past two years she has been the California Department Commissioner, placing her in charge of the State competition. Fran wears many hats. She also serves as Commissioner of Legislative Affairs for the 14th District of the American Legion.
Raising money is an instrumental part of the American Legion program to better serve veterans in need. Fran does not shy away from work! She is a current committee member on the Veterans Memorial Day Golf tournament, which last year raised $15,000 for the VA Hospital and recreational needs of wounded veterans. The Clovis Rodeo, Big Hat Days and Clovis Fest are other fund raising events that Fran plays a key role in organizing and carrying out that mission with monies going to help veterans.
Fran has a deep respect for those who have served and spends time on the Post 147 Honor Guard Rifle Squad, there to serve those who deserve a military funeral. Fran Kilgore has made a lifetime commitment to serve her country and military veterans.
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