Frank Joyce: Another Key Constituent To The Roswell UFO Crash Passes Away

By The Albuquerque Journal
10-9-08

     Frank Joyce, a veteran New Mexico newsman who reported on the "Roswell Incident" as it unfolded and was a familiar face with his outdoor report on KOB-TV, has died. The Albuquerque resident was 85.

Joyce was in his 20s working at Roswell radio station KGFL in 1947, said his son, Ron Joyce.

"All I'll say is he was the first reporter at the scene," he said about his father.

Frank Joyce thus became connected with the famous UFO story. He was interviewed about the incident a number of times over the years and depicted in documentaries and movies, such as the TV film "Roswell."

"They did several interviews with him on CNN and The History Channel and various UFO documentaries," his son said.

The elder Joyce talked with his son about what he had seen, but his son on Wednesday declined to share the tale. Asked how his father felt about being associated with the incident, Ron Joyce said the feelings were mixed.

"He liked the positive aspect of it, but didn't care for the people that didn't believe in it, you know?" the son said.

Born in Alabama and raised mostly in Roswell, Francis Walden Joyce graduated from Roswell High School, where he was an All-State tackle.

He continued his playing career on a football scholarship at the University of Alabama.

He served in the Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service, his family said.

By the summer of 1951, Joyce moved to Albuquerque and began interviewing people for KOB-AM, according to a 1990 Albuquerque Tribune profile.

He did play-by-play for UNM games and interviewed the likes of John Wooden and Muhammad Ali over the years, and then came to be known for his KOB-TV "Outdoor Report." By 1970, he was spending most of his time reporting on outdoor sports, including hunting, fishing and skiing, for KOB-TV, the 1990 story reads.

"He enjoyed his work at KOB," Ron Joyce said. "He was a good family man, good father, good husband to my mother. He always took care of his kids and put family first. If anyone of us ever needed anything, he was there to help."

Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at Ballard Funeral Home in Roswell.

Joyce was preceded in death by his wife, Frances D. Joyce. His survivors include his sons: James Kelley Joyce and Ronnie J. Joyce; grandsons, Brian and his wife, Tina; Kyle and his wife, Amber; and Chad and his fiancee, Jordan Luckenbill; great-grandchildren, Dalton and Regan Kate Joyce; and daughter- in-law, Brenda K. Joyce.

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See Also:

Threats to Roswell Witnesses---WHY?

Biased Documentaries by the Media

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