Frank J. Munoz

1934 - 2018

Frank J. Munoz
1934 - 2018

On Saturday, June 30, 2018, Bakersfield Native and beloved member of our community passed away at age of 83 after an 18-year battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Frank attended St. Francis Elementary School and would proudly talk about being a member of the first graduating class from Garces High School. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from St. Mary's College at Moraga. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the engineering office aboard the Aircraft Carrier--USS Tarawa. He explored an interest in law and briefly attended the Hastings School of Law in San Francisco. Frank was an avid basketball player throughout his years in school and continued to play in the Bakersfield City leagues.

Frank began his career working as an Accountant and Administrative Assistant for the Castanchoa Livestock and Farming operations. Frank met the love of his life, Rose Baggiani. They were married for 54 years and raised their son and daughter in Bakersfield. Together they often enjoyed weekend activities that usually involved dancing and participating in various community events.

He worked as an Accountant and Administrative Assistant for Mendiburu Land & Livestock Company, until deciding to become self-employed. He was a champion for the livestock grazing community and worked tirelessly with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Offices to preserve our local lamb and wool industries. Frank was an instrumental advocate for the development of the California Desert Plan in 1978 and believed that both tortoise and sheep could co-exist together in the desert.

Frank was the Executive Secretary of the Kern County Wool Growers Association for 30 years. Additional related achievements include: Chairman of the Board for San Bernardino County Range Improvement Advisory Committee, Public Lands Council Representative, participant in Technical Review Teams advising the BLM District Managers regarding California desert sheep grazing, and honored with the Golden Fleece Award in 1989.

As President of the Kern County St. Mary's College Alumni Association, Frank enjoyed awarding yearly scholarships to Garces graduates seeking to attend St. Mary's College. In addition to participating as an active member of the Kern County Basque Club, he enjoyed serving as a Lector at St. Francis Church.

Frank will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Rose, son, Rodd and daughter, Valerie, sisters: Hope Bell and Josephine (husband, Effort) Hart, brother: Joe Hernandez (wife, Marianne) and sister-in-laws: Carla Baggiani and Sherrill Hernandez as well as nineteen nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Esperanza and Jesus Munoz, sisters: Linda Manley and Socorro (husband, Herschel) Kimble and brother: George Hernandez and brother-in-law, Don Bell.

Special thanks to the following Angels who contributed to Frank's compassionate care: Dr. K. Bouldoukian and Staff: Stephanie and Marchell, Carol, Linda and Rosa (In-Home Care), Nemy Claravall-Ong, Christy and Jennifer at Divine Mercy Home-Care, and Lovey, RN and Marilet, LVN at Hoffman Hospice.

Pallbearers will be Robert Coons, Chuck Dickeson, Matthew Faulkner, Frankie Iturriria, Miguel Iturriria and Fernando Iturriria.

A traditional Catholic Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 12, 2018 beginning at 9:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (900 "H" Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304). The Mass will be followed by a graveside burial at Union Cemetery (730 Potomac Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93307).

Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors