Late Dr. George Frison

"Doc", as he was affectionately called.

Doc was born in the shadow of the Big Horn Mountains, at Ten Sleep, Wyoming. His Grandparents, Jacob & Margaret Frison, father George S. Frison, and uncles together had a combined ranch of some 2,000 acres of prime mountain range.

Sleepy Ten Sleep, Wyoming

Home of the Pioneer Frison Family. Grandparents Jacob (Jake) & Margaret Frison, father George S., and uncle Paul and aunt Annella all came and homesteaded in this Big Horn area in 1901.

Jacob Frison

Doc's grandfather Jake Frison had to hunt to survive the rough conditions of the Big Horn mountains in Wyoming. Here we see six wolves caught and chained together.

Glendive, Montana

Doc's father George Frison and mother Metta Carr were married March, 1924 in Glendive Montana

Ten Sleep Area

Old maps from the area showed evidence of the Frison family by the Frison Dome, marked in the upper left.

Grandma Margaret

Grandma Margaret Frison (middle) raised Doc and was his best companion growing up. She took Doc under her wing at the age of two and taught him many important lessons in life.

Tragic Accident

Three months prior to Doc's birth his young father died in a tragic accident when his rifle discharged killing him instantly, August 1924.

"Doc" 1942 U. S. Navy

"Doc" Navy Blues

1941-1942

In an unforgettable moment on December 7th, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, 17-year-old George was ready to answer the call! However, Grandma Margaret had other plans and wouldn’t let him join the military just yet. In 1942, George embraced his passion for service by enrolling at the University of Wyoming and swiftly joining the U.S. Navy!

Navy Whites

1943-1944

When "Doc" hit the milestone of 18 on November 11 (Veterans Day), he eagerly embarked on an incredible journey! He was off to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago, Illinois, then it was on to the exciting gunnery control system schools in Newport, Rhode Island. From there, he made his way to the sunny shores of San Diego, California, ready for adventure!

Dog Tag

December 16, 1944

sunny San Diego, California George eagerly boarded the freshly commissioned APA-215 U.S.S. Navarro, proudly named after Navarro County, Texas! The "APA" designation stood for Auxiliary Personnel, Attack, and these remarkable ships were the heroes that transported troops into battle, equipped with everything they needed to storm those challenging shores with courage and determination!

Navy Card

Easter Sunday, April 1st, 1945

U.S.S. Navarro triumphantly arrived at her destination, Okinawa, and the invasion is officially underway! The unloading process was a stunning success, completed in record time, with not a single boat lost to the treacherous coral reefs and surf. Remarkably, Navarro was among the rare ships to emerge from the invasion with all her boats in tip-top shape!

Despite several air alerts, one plane targeted Navarro for an attack, but it was spectacularly deflected by flak and plunged in flames into the sea! Thanks to the outstanding screening and air cover, the gun crews only needed to fire at the enemy a mere three times!

George & June Frison

Carolyn June Glanville

The love of "Doc's" life was born April 9th in Crosby, Wyoming. Crosby was a coal mining town north of Thermopolis, Wyoming.

June's father was a coal miner at Crosby.

Married September 8th, 1946

After returning from the war, George excitedly reconnected with his old friend from Ten Sleep, June Glanville, and they tied the knot shortly after! Their incredible union lasted an amazing 65 years, with June lovingly nurturing countless University of Wyoming archaeology students along the way.

Friends

Above we see George and June Frison (sitting) with two of their dearest friends, George and Geri Zeimens (standing).

June passed August 22, 2011. George, friends, and the U of W all lost a wonderful lady.

Hunting to Archaeology

Long Line of Hunters

George's ancestors were true pioneers, hunting not just for food but to ensure the survival of their beloved ranch! Their incredible hunting exploits are celebrated in countless newspaper articles. Doc's grandfather, Jake, even made a lasting impression by donating a stunning deer head mount to the Stock Growers State Bank, where it proudly hung for years. And let's not forget his father, George S. Frison, who showcased his skills by collecting a bounty on 16 coyotes back in April 1918!

Hunting Knowledge

Doc has become an incredible expert on all things animal, from game to livestock! His deep understanding of their movements, anatomy, and range, combined with his thrilling hunting adventures, has allowed him to uncover the fascinating paleoindian hunting techniques and methods. As a result, Frison has produced an impressive collection of books and articles that explore the art of the chase and kill!