FRANK JAMES HUSTEDDE

Frank Hustedde, age 85, was born on September 1, 1928, in Tulsa, OK and passed away peacefully on June 26, 2014. Frank was born on the infamous "Route 66" and grew up milking cows with his two older brothers during the Great Depression. Though he grew up poor, Frank developed his strong work ethic on his parents' dairy and carried it for the rest of his life. Poverty also taught him to wisely live on a budget and helped shape his overwhelming generosity. Moving with his parents to Orange, CA as a teenager, Frank received his high school diploma and his AA Degree. He served four years in the US Air Force before transferring to UCLA where he graduated in 1955 with a B.S. in Marketing. Frank went on to work in the produce industry for the next 32 years, coming to Fresno in 1972 as the new Vice President of Marketing for the California Table Grape Commission retiring in 1988. After retirement Frank earned his teaching credential and became a substitute teacher for Fresno County Schools. Though successful and self-made, Frank's first priority was family. Before he had children, he was the favorite, "Uncle Frank" to his nieces as he always made time for them on visits. He carried that generosity with him as a father, returning home at the same time every night to work in the yard, throw baseballs, give rides in the wheelbarrow, or ride bikes after dinner. Unless he was traveling out of town, Frank was a regular sight at all of his children's events. His sons' memories are filled with yearly trips to Disneyland, family vacations to Oregon and Washington and camping excursions with YMCA Indian Guides and Trailblazers. He was as generous with his money as he was his time having funded his children's high school education at San Joaquin Memorial and, later, college degrees. As a husband, Frank was always the best example of how a gentleman treats a lady. Rarely did Rowena have to open her own car door. Dates for the two of them without kids were regular, as were special gifts for her specifically picked out by him on birthdays and anniversaries. When he returned home from extended business trips, his suitcase seemingly had more gifts for Rowena and the boys than it did clothes. As grandparents, Frank and Rowena continued this dedication with their eleven grandchildren, graciously appearing at countless sporting events, recitals and award ceremonies and opening their home for any family get-together or formal occasion, including two garden weddings. They were regular Wednesday night volunteer Citizens on Patrol in southeast Fresno for the Fresno PD for over 12 years, and, up until a few weeks ago, Frank could regularly be seen tending to his delicious tomatoes, mowing the lawn on his John Deere tractor and grilling his famous hamburgers. A proud, lifelong Catholic, Frank passed into the arms of our Lord on June 26, 2014. He died peacefully in his favorite family room surrounded by three generations of Husteddes. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Hugo and Christine; and brothers, Raymond and Ken. He is survived by Rowena, his loving wife of 52 years; his four sons and their wives, Hugh "Nick" and Akiko, Ken and Maria, Larry and Teri, John and Tammy; eleven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. A Mass in his honor will be held at St. Helen's Catholic Church 4870 E. Belmont in Fresno on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Divine Mercy Building Fund, Hearing Impaired Project, 2525 Alluvial Ste. 241, Clovis, CA 93611.