Mex Rodman Frates

Philanthropist, humanitarian and civic leader Mex Rodman Frates died Wednesday in Oklahoma City. She was 98.

Frates had been an Oklahoma City resident for 95 years, and was responsible for the development and maintenance of many of its customs and institutions. She supported the arts, education, health programs and social institutions, giving many hours of time as a volunteer. Friends said she remained busy in the community until a few days ago.

Her family moved to the Heritage Hills neighborhood in 1911. She grew up among the early, history-making residents of the city. In recent years, she had been one of the last survivors of that generation of influential civic leaders.

Frates was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1969. She helped establish the United Way and was the first president of the Junior League of Oklahoma City in 1933, through which she led or supported many community activities.

Oklahoma City has art museums, a ballet, an orchestra and other amenities partly because of her efforts. She was an active, participating board member of the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Better Business Bureau, Mercy Health Center and the American Red Cross.

Frates received significant rewards and honors from such diverse organizations as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Public School Foundation, the Governor's Arts Awards, the Oklahoma County Historical Society and the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

In 2004, she received the lifetime achievement award from the national Association of Philanthropy.

She and author Joan Gilmore recently completed a biography, called "Lifetime Volunteer." Published by the Oklahoma Heritage Association, it will be released in about a week. Gilmore said Frates downplayed her personal characteristics and focused on a history of the city and its cultural makeup. But friends who remembered her Wednesday talked about her generosity and her sense of humor.

"Mex was a shining example of a volunteer, a role model and mentor to so many," said Christy Everest, chairman and chief executive of The Oklahoma Publishing Co., which publishes The Oklahoman. "She was also a dear friend who remembered you with notes of encouragement or congratulations always signed 'Mex, your oldest friend.'"

"There was only one Mex in the world," said Ann Alspaugh, who worked with Frates in community projects. "She was a teacher, a mentor, a friend. She started things and maintained them. She was still working, still participating. This is a terrible loss for the community."

Former Gov. George Nigh, also involved in many of her projects, said: "Donna and I believe she was one of the great Oklahoma treasures, in the purest sense. She had a fantastic sense of humor and honor."

She was married to the late Cliff Frates for 57 years until his death in 1993. She is survived by two sons, Kent Frates and Rodman Frates.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in All Souls Episcopal Church, which she helped found and continued to support.