Frankie "Frank" J. Dudek Obituary

"Yellow!" "Who's this?" "Where?" "I'm just teasin'."

On Thursday evening, February 22nd, 2024, Frankie Junior Dudek ended his reign as king of calling you up just to check on you, making sure everyone he knew and loved was taken care of, and fixing almost anything that needed fixing. He passed away peacefully at home with family. Whether he was joking with you ("pulling your leg"), fishing with you, repairing your lawnmower, or making an impromptu house call, Frank made everyone he knew smile and made it his life's work to show those around him he cared about them.

Born on September 19, 1936 to Frank and Millie Baca Dudek, Frank began his life in the Dust Bowl-era town of Willow, Oklahoma – the same farming community his Czech family helped settle after the Oklahoma Land Run. He grew up with three older and two younger siblings, and a close-knit extended family who have remained close no matter how much time and distance has tried to change that. If you were lucky enough to hear stories of his youth, you know that life on the farm was hard work and extremely humble. They grew just about everything, raised livestock, and were the definition of self- sufficient. Frank's upbringing in Willow gave him the skills and work ethic he carried with him for the rest of his life, but he wasn't done learning.

As a student at Lake Creek H.S., Frank excelled as an athlete playing basketball and baseball. Following a short stint pitching for the minor league Tulsa Oilers, Frank joined the Air Force as a mechanic. After training in San Francisco, he was stationed in Torrejon, Spain for five years where his life changed forever. After accepting his buddy's invite to join him on regular visits to the small town where the buddy's girlfriend lived, Frank (Paco) also met the love of his life, Francisca (Paqui) Adame. Not being known for wasting time, 'Paco y Paqui' wed in Guadalajara, Spain eleven months later. The spectacle of this hometown girl marrying an American was a town-wide event, with the kids causing such a fuss that classes were canceled so everyone could attend. Frank and Francisca shared a deep and true love that lasted a lifetime. When Frank's enlistment ended a couple of years later, he brought Francisca and their oldest son, William (Bill) back to Oklahoma. Being a new husband and father wasn't enough, though, and he was able to display his new talents as a translator. Born to a Czech family, Frank spoke Czech and English with his family, but now he had to translate conversations into Spanish for his wife - and then vice versa. With his thick Okie accent, pulling out those other languages was one of his favorite ways to shock people.

Frank and Paquita soon settled in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, where they expanded their family with two more boys: Larry Don and John Paul. Frank worked for a short time for the Sand Springs Water Dept. followed by a career at Armco/Sheffield Steel as a Transportation Foreman. Frank and Francisca were devout Catholics and patrons of St. Patrick's Catholic Church where they were known for their deep commitment to community service and for always being helpful neighbors and friends.

Frank's idle time was spent fishing, coaching little league baseball, fishing, fixing lawnmowers in the garage, fishing, volunteering at church and fishing. Even those who didn't fish knew about Frank's prolific skills because he delivered his daily catch to your door or invited you over to eat them with one of Francisca's feasts. The only time he would sit still was in a bass boat; then he could sit with the best of them. He would also occasionally sit still while working a crossword and 'closing his eyes for just a minute'.

Frank's kindness and commitment to helping others was immeasurable and could never be captured with just a few paragraphs here. Those that knew him were very lucky and those that loved him have been blessed beyond measure with the gift of his life and example. Frank was a great friend to many people and he felt that friendship returned.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Millie Dudek; his wife of 54 years, Francisca Dudek; sisters Pauline Pierce, Mildred Ritter, Irene Graham, and Ann Copeland; and brothers-in-law Conley Pierce, Carl Ritter, Marvin Graham, Loren Adame and Serafin Adame.

He is survived by sons, William Joe and his wife Kathy Dudek, Larry Don Dudek and John Paul Dudek and his husband, Michael Casey. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Alyssa Dudek and her partner Andy Elwell, Hannah Dudek and her husband Michael Sauer, Anna Dudek and her fiancé Maria Anez, and Rhys Dudek and his girlfriend Constance Cannon. Other survivors include his brother Billy and his wife Sue Dudek; brother-in-law Tommy Copeland; sister-in-law Mari Carmen Adame and her husband Jose Luis Abella; brother-in-law Jose Adame and his wife Milagros Adame; and sister-in-law Maria Theresa Adame. Many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive Frank. His family shares a great love for him and will miss him dearly.

His family asks, whether you knew him or not, that you please honor his memory by calling that friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while, by helping out when someone needs it, and by pulling someone's leg just to make them smile – nothing would make him happier.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, February 29, at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Father Archie Fernandez officiating. Frank will be laid to rest at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church Wednesday 5-7 p.m., and the rosary service will follow at 7 p.m.

Leave your memories of Frank and view his tribute online at www.mogro.co.