Ralph E. Frakes

Ralph E.Frakes, 62,Topeka, died Friday, July 12, 2002 at St. Francis hospital in Topeka, Kansas. He was born November 24,1939,in Tecumseh,to Howard Dale and Verna E.Richmond Frakes. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1957 and spent most of his life in Topeka. He bought his first dump truck in 1957 and owned and operated Frakes Trucking for more than 40 years. He served in the National Guard from 1957 to 1960. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the Frakes Trucking Bowling team at Gage Bowl for 25 years. He was a past president of the Pauline East Parent Teacher Association. He married Beverly Moss in 1957 in Topeka, Kansas. They were divorced. A son, Thomas E. Frakes, died January 7, 1995. Survivors include three sons, Mike Frakes, Scranton, Kevin Frakes, Topeka, and Brian Frakes, Wichita; three brothers, Jack Frakes and Robert Appling, both of Topeka, and Howard Frakes, Lafayette, CA; two sisters, Judy Bowen, Stockton, CA, and Debbie Meyer, Topeka; seven grandchildren; ;and a great-grandchild.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Frakes will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at the funeral home, where relatives and friends will meet from 7 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 Rochester Rd. Topeka, KS 66617.