Longtime Claremont resident Gail Jerome Frampton died the night of June 4, with his family by his side. He was 90.

Gail was born December 3, 1927 in Ocean Falls, British Columbia, Canada, to Charlie and Grace Frampton, and moved to Pomona shortly thereafter. It was in Pomona that he spent his formative years with his beloved siblings, Keith, Mary Ann, John and Gary.

As a child, he attended Pomona Catholic Elementary and later Pomona High School. In high school he developed his love of football and went on to play in college.

He met his future wife, Betty Musgrove, in junior high school. They began dating just after high school and were married on July 2, 1949. The Framptons were happily married for nearly 69 years.

Shortly after they wed, Mr. Frampton spent two years in the US Army, stationed in Japan and Korea. The first of their four children, Cory, was born while he was posted in Korea. Upon his return to the states the family welcomed three more children, Chad, Kevin and Darcy.

It was during this time Mr. Frampton began his career in banking and real estate. He started with banking in Monrovia, California. Shortly thereafter, with his brother-in-law Bob Musgrove, he developed the residential hillside community of Claraboya in Claremont.

In 1966 he went to work for the American Hawaiian Steamship Company as coordinator of land planning and management for the development of Westlake Village, California. Around 1970 the company transferred Mr. Frampton and his family to Mexico City where he oversaw the development of several affordable housing projects as well as the Acapulco Princess Hotel. 

Upon returning to the United States, he was offered a vice president position with Dempsey Construction Company in Mammoth Lakes, California. The decision to take the job was easy. His love for the Sierras, Mammoth, and the outdoors made it a perfect match. During his time in Mammoth he was recognized as a tremendous asset, not only to Dempsey Construction Company, but also to the community as a whole. He and Betty would spend their next 43 years in the Eastern Sierras with Mr. Frampton assisting in a multitude of construction and development projects in the area before retiring. He was known throughout the community as an individual with the ability to confront complex issues with calmness and a smile, his family shared, adding that he was highly respected and appreciated.

His career was not the only factor that drew Mr. Frampton to the Eastern Sierras. From a young age he was passionate about nature and the mountains, taking every opportunity to ski, climb, hike and bike in the California wilderness. During the early years he would frequently load up the entire family in their station wagon and drive to Mammoth, Sun Valley or Aspen with everyone crammed in like sardines. His passion for nature was contagious and inspirational to those around him, his family said.

Mr. Frampton was a devout Catholic and typically attended mass five to six days a week. He was a deeply spiritual man and an embodiment of grace and compassion in every aspect of his life, his family related. He and Betty shared a deep love of family and believed in service to others, not only in the form of contributing money, but of their time and spirit, the family added. They were involved in many charitable activities.

“Gail was an extraordinary husband, father, and friend,” his family shared. “He was a role model for what it is to be kind, wise, big hearted and selfless. He will be greatly missed here on earth and greatly welcomed in heaven.”

Mr. Frampton is survived by his wife Betty; son Cory and his wife, Patty; son Kevin and his wife Sandra; daughter Darcy and her husband Lance; son Chad and his wife Kristen; grandchildren Caroline, Erik, Alec, Jordan and Ali; and great-grandchildren Audra and Jack. Other survivors include his sisters-in-law Suzanne Frampton, Carol Frampton and Sylvia Musgrove, along with numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

A rosary service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 17 at Todd Memorial Chapel, 325 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont. A funeral mass takes place at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 2110 N. San Antonio Ave., Upland, with a reception following at Claremont Manor’s Manor Hall, 650 Harrison Ave., Claremont.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Frampton’s name to Disabled Sports of the Eastern Sierra at disabledsportseasternsierra.org/donate, or via check to PO Box 7275, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546; or to For 4 Paws via check to PO Box 8586, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546.