Brothers Marriner Eccles (l) and George Eccles (r) in conversation near a portrait of their late father, David Eccles, in the executive offices of First Security Corporation.

First Security Bank at First South and Main Streets in Salt Lake City, Utah, was headquarters of the extraordinary business empire pioneered by David Eccles in the late 1800's and early 1900's, and overseen following his death by his sons Marriner and George.

Dolores Doré "Lolie" Eccles met her future husband, George S. Eccles, while both were students at Columbia University in New York City. More than 50 years later, she guided their Foundation for 12 years following George’s death, until her own passing in 1994 at the age of 91.

Foundation Founders

George S. Eccles
1902 - 1982

Dolores Doré Eccles
1902 - 1994

Throughout their lives, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles were committed to supporting important community needs in Utah. To ensure that their philanthropic work would continue beyond their lifetimes, they established the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation in 1960.

The Foundation became active following the death of Mr. Eccles in 1982, and now – more than two decades later – it is the most visible and lasting legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Eccles, carrying on their charitable vision by enriching educational, medical, cultural, and societal opportunities throughout Utah.

Family photo

George S. Eccles was born in 1900, the sixth of nine children of pioneering Utah industrialist David Eccles, an immigrant from Scotland, and his wife Ellen Stoddard Eccles. He grew up in Logan, Utah, and graduated from Columbia University in New York, where he met fellow student Dolores “Lolie” Doré, whom he wed in 1925.

George Eccles played a key role in founding and guiding First Security Corporation from its beginnings in 1928. As its chief executive officer for nearly four decades – from 1945 to 1982 – Mr. Eccles was a moving force in the growth of the oldest multi-state bank holding company in the United States, a distinction First Security Corporation still held at the time of its historic merger with Wells Fargo & Co. in October 2000.

As a civic leader, major community benefactor, and leading figure in the banking industry for more than half a century, George Eccles was not afraid to speak his mind. In doing so, he won the respect of those in the corporate and governmental worlds and the loyal admiration of his colleagues and friends. His innumerable honors and awards came not only from Utah, but also nationally and worldwide.

Dolores Doré Eccles, known affectionately by her friends and family as "Lolie," was born in 1902. A native of Houston, Texas, she became a devoted citizen of Utah and was one of its most active volunteers for more than 50 years.

A gracious and generous friend of the arts, education, and social causes, she was also a strong and spirited individual. Following the death of her husband, she continued to guide the Foundation for 12 more years until her own passing in 1994 at the age of 91.

Mr. and Mrs. Eccles cared deeply for their extended Intermountain family, and worked together with others to make a difference in their community. Today, through their Foundation, they continue to enhance the lives of all Utahns.