Frank James Emerson

Frank James Emerson Passed away peacefully at home on April 27 after a short illness. Born on August 29, 1925 in Welty, Oklahoma, Frank lived a full life and was proud of his service to our country as a staff sergeant in the United States Army. He is survived by his loving wife Ann, daughters Karen Cook (Mike) and Willie Wooldridge (Ray), stepsons Glen Thomas (Shirley), Charlie Thomas (Missi), and Rob Thomas (Nancy), siblings Velma Sullenger, Earline Schell, Odessa St. Cyr, Ruth Ziegenfuss and Bill Emerson, grandchildren Michael, Bert, Kirby, Misty, Curtis, Holly, Carrie, Christopher, Kristen and Liz, and numerous nephews, nieces, great-grandchildren, and in-laws. Frank was raised on a farm in Oklahoma, then moved to California at 16, where he worked in the oil fields building oil derricks. He joined the army in 1948, and was sent to Japan. In subsequent years, Frank served his country during two tours in Korea, three tours in Vietnam, and in Germany. He retired from the army in 1977 and settled in Tacoma, where he'd met and married his wife Ann. Frank will be remembered with full military honors at a memorial service on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, with a viewing held on May 3 at Mountain View from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Frank will be buried at the National Cemetery in Kent.