Charles Dean Francone, 80, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015 at his home in Orchard. He was born on January 6, 1935 to Charles Milo and Helen Margaret (Stoll) Francone. Charles was born in Fort Morgan, CO but was raised in Weldona. Growing up, he helped his parents run the dairy farm they owned. As a young man he drove a semi-truck for a local company hauling cattle. He was drafted into the Army on February 10, 1958 and was sent to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs for his basic training. In July 1958 he was stationed in Neu-Ulm, Germany as Private First Class in the 546th Medical Company as a mechanic. While stationed in Germany he toured Italy, France, Austria, Spain and Germany. He spent two years overseas, returning home February 1960. Upon his return he was rehired, hauling cattle for the same local trucking company. He then met Judith Ann Weber, while she was working in Keenesburg, CO in a restaurant she was employed at. They were married on September 3, 1960. To this union they had three sons and two daughters; Bryan Francone, Brett Francone, Robert Francone, Krystal Francone Miller and Melanie Francone. In October 1961, Charles was recalled to the Army for the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was stationed in Fort Carson, CO until August of 1962. He was then honorable discharged as a SP4 and returned to work as a semi-truck driver in Fort Morgan. He raced a stock car from 1968-1974 at the Morgan County Speedway, where he won several trophies with the #33 Snoopy Car. He loved to repair, rebuild and race. He loved the thrill of the speed and competition. In 1974 he stopped racing and bought a bus and turned it into a family camper, where they enjoyed many weekends and several vacations with his family. They truly enjoyed each of the lakes and canyons they visited together. Then in 1998, Charles retired form his career as a truck driver with WDCI and began driving a school bus for Weldon Valley School until 2008. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister Joan and sister, Helen Claire Giese. He is survived by one sister, Betty Jean Moser of Oregon; his wife, Judy of Orchard; sons, Bryan and Connie Francone of Orchard, Brett and Leona Francone of Sterling, Robert and Jane Francone of Greeley; daughters, Krystal Francone Miller of Beaver City, NE and Melanie Francone of Denver, 13 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. He was a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 41 in Fort Morgan. He loved his family and enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, model airplanes, steam-engine trains and (antique) tractors. He had a great sense of humor and loved to play pranks on his friends and family. He lived a great life alongside his friends and family. Charles was a great man and an amazing father. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Mass and the Celebration of Life is to be determined.