Frank H. Walsh Jr.

1921 - 2013

Frank H. Walsh Jr., 92, of Sterling, died on Dec. 14, 2013, at home with his family. Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at Tennant Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, at First Presbyterian Church.

Frank was born on March 25, 1921, in Mexico City, Mexico, to Frank and Evelyn (Morrison) Walsh. He grew up in Pachuca, Mexico, where his father was employed as general superintendent at the Santa Gertrudis silver mine.

He received his education, grades first through eighth, at the "one room school house" located inside the mine compound. He went to high school at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M.

In 1944, after graduating with honors from Oklahoma University with a petroleum engineering degree, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served proudly as a Second Lieutenant with the Army Corp of Engineers during World War II. After the war, he went to work for Humble Oil Co (Exxon) in Houston, Texas. It was there that he met Gloria Gibson. Frank and Gloria were married July 15, 1950 at her parents' home in Kerrville, Texas. Their two sons, Bill and David, were born in Houston.

In 1955, Frank moved his family to Sterling. There he spent 54 years working in the oil and gas industry. He was joined by his sons in the early eighties. Walsh Production, Inc became one of the larger oil producers in the State (12+ years on the top 10 list).

Some of Frank's most cherished memories were of his many friends, colleagues, employees, and competitors with whom he shared a passion for the oil business. Golf was Frank's pastime of choice. He remained competitive through his last years; "shooting his age" on a number of occasions.

Beyond love for family, business, and golf, Frank was truly a philanthropist extraordinaire. He was that rare individual who actually made a difference in the lives of so many in northeast Colorado. The list of projects, organizations and causes that Frank and Gloria have so generously supported over the years is extensive, to say the least. In 2008, their donation enabled the establishment of the David Walsh Cancer Center.

Frank is survived by wife, Gloria; son, Bill and wife Patty; daughter-in-law, Kathie Walsh; grandchildren, Rory Walsh-Miller and husband Jason Miller, Carlin Walsh and wife Michelle, Frank Walsh III and girlfriend Kara Stanley, Darrin Walsh; niece, Suzie Gallagher; great-grandchild Fiona Walsh, and long time personal assistant, Judy Vandagriff.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Gallagher; and son, David.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or may be sent to a charity of your choice in his honor.