Frank E. Marek

1917 - 2007

Frank E. Marek, 90, an Air Force colonel, passed away Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
Memorial service: 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Lane A.
Frank was born Feb. 22, 1917, in Plains, Pa., to the late Adela and Frank Marek. Col. Marek played in the Southern Minor Baseball League in Ridgeway, Va. He signed a professional contract with the Sally League in Macon, Ga., in 1939. He never fulfilled his dream of playing major league baseball due to World War II; instead, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving as an officer in the 69th Bomb Squadron at Guadalcanal and the Hebrides Islands. After the war ended in 1945, he was assigned to Italy as deputy to Brig. Gen. William L. Lee, working on the peace treaty. Col. Marek, known as the dean of U.S. Air Force base commanders, was base commander at Anderson Air Base in Guam, Bergstrom Air Force Base and Carswell Air Force Base in Texas, Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, and Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, South Vietnam. After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked at AAFES for 16 years. The Okinawans dedicated a park in his name because of his commitment to the local community during his Kadena command.
Col. Marek was awarded and decorated with: Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Ribbon, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, American Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Italian War Cross for Valor, Italian Cross of Merit, Italian Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Honor Medal 1st Class, Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, Korean Military Merit Medal 3rd Class and the Distinguished Service Medal.
In 2000, the Plains American Legion Headquarters dedicated the Col. Marek Dining Hall, displaying pictures portraying 30 years of military life, and the Plains Sports Hall of Fame inducted him as 1937 CCC All-American Center Fielder.
Col. Marek, known affectionately as Connie Mack, was loved by all. He will be profoundly missed by his family and friends alike. His cheerful, positive and engaging personality made you want to dedicate yourself to his causes.
Please send your recollections and memories to colmarek@sbcglobal.net or sign the guest book.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Adela Marek; brothers, Stanley, Joe, Chester, Norman, Edmund and Larry Marek; and sister, Pauline.
Survivors: Sons, Frank Marek Jr. and John Marek and wife, Pam; daughter, Ann R. Marek; grandaughters, Kelly Schwartz and Rachel Eddins; brothers, Anthony Marek and wife, Irene, and Ferdinand Marek; sister, Mary Glavick; sister-in-law, Mary Marek; and numerous nieces and nephews.