Obituary of John Franek

John Andrew Franek, “Papa”, was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was born in Colville, Washington on October 27, 1935 to John Andrew Franek and Pauline Mary Franek. He graduated from Calhan High School 1953. He served 4 years in the US Air Force. During his time in the military he played baseball and received a contract offer with the LA Dodgers, but due to an injury to his arm he didn’t pursue his contract. After a discharge from the Air Force, he returned to Colorado. In 1959 John applied for the Colorado State Patrol because the Colorado governor requested 100 new officers. This is where he began his career on the state patrol for 31 years; he achieved both of his goals while on the force, which were to earn the Badge #1 and the Million-Mile Accident Free award. John was stationed in Hugo, Colorado. This is where he began his life with Gayle Franek. John and Gayle were married on November 17, 1959. They had 4 children who all graduated from Hugo High School. While driving the boys’ sport teams to all athletic events, he acquired the nicknames Pope John and Podunk. After retiring from the state patrol in 1990, John and Gayle moved to Lakewood, Colorado where he was employed with Kroger Company (King Soopers) as an armed security guard and served for 21 years, retiring in 2011. While living in Lakewood they helped raise their grandchildren. He thrived on anything that involved his grandchildren. During this time they developed an interest in: hot air ballooning, which included many trips to Steamboat Springs and Albuquerque; camping and boating with family, which included many trips to the lake and other places; and attending their grandchildren’s school activities. Just before his passing he was honored as a 50 year Mason. John’s hobbies were fishing, gardening, ballooning, traveling and camping with his family, playing pool with Earl Jensen, watching sports such as baseball, wrestling, and football, and spending time with his grandkids. John also assisted in coaching youth baseball, for Hugo and his grandson, Chadd’s , team. John passed away peacefully on March 5, 2012 at Saint Anthony’s Hospital Central (Lakewood, Colorado) with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife Gayle, children, Lou Ellen (Leon), John Daniel, Kenneth Ray (Mary) and Donald Lee (Vicki), 8 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 2 great granddaughters, brothers Bill and Tom and sister Margie Martinez.