Frank Ervey Urquidez

FORT WORTH-Frank Ervey Urquidez, 78, peacefully passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Rosary/Visitation: 6-8 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Mount Olivet Chapel. Service: 11 am Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 16250 Old Weatherford Road, Aledo, Texas 76008. Interment: 2:15 pm May 16, 2024, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
Frank was born in Alpine, Texas on December 28, 1945, to Guadalupe and Faye (Moreno) Urquidez. He graduated from Big Lake High School in 1965. In October of 1965, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country. He was a jet engine technician and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In 1970, he married Mary Jo Puga in Big Spring, Texas, after which they began their life together in Fort Worth, Texas. They welcomed a son, Frank Edward, in 1971, and five years later Frank Edward became a big brother as they welcomed their daughter, Andrea.
Frank was a parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church and later he became a member of St. Patrick Cathedral in downtown Fort Worth. A devout Catholic, he enjoyed the rich history, beauty, and tradition of the Catholic faith.
Upon completion of an associate's degree from Tarrant County College in non-destructive testing, he began work at General Dynamics. He then continued his career as a test lab mechanic, focusing on durability testing on aircraft and fuselage components at Bell Helicopter and then at Lockheed Martin. He enjoyed being able to apply his military aviation expertise in each of the test labs throughout his 43-year career. He cherished the camaraderie of his co-workers and as a skilled bladesmith and gunsmith, he enjoyed mentoring the younger generation on the art of making guns and knives. On any given day, you could find him working in the basement of his home surrounded by his reloading equipment, knife templates, ballistic journals, and numerous metal knife projects.
In the late 1970s, he began elk and deer hunting, which continued for decades. He traveled with family and friends to hunt in Colorado and New Mexico looking for the next trophy mount to display at home. This became his passion and led to new friendships centered around these annual trips to what he called, "the High Country." His hunting buddies looked for his guidance on bolt-action gun building and knife making and his sharing of which unique techniques he used for each of his projects.
Frank and Mary enjoyed traveling throughout the years. They enjoyed cruises to Alaska and Nova Scotia, a glorious trip to Germany during Christmas time, and numerous sightseeing trips throughout the U.S. to visit family and friends.
Of all the things he enjoyed in life, becoming "Papa Frank" was a most cherished role. He was so proud of each of his grandchildren, and you could find him cheering loudly at each of their football, baseball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball games, cheer performances, and dance recitals. We will continue to be blessed with his cheering from heaven above.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Faye; brother, Edward; and sister, Linda.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Jo; son, Frank Edward (Angelique); daughter, Andrea Landon (Thomas); grandchildren, Andrew Marquez, Mary, Trey, Emma, James, and Ava; great-grandchildren, Noah, Tyler, and Zephra; brothers, Joe Urquidez (Dee), Dennis Urquidez; and sister, Rosemary (Jimmy); brothers-in-law, Charlie Puga (Socorro), Rudy Jimenez; and sister-in-law, Betty Sanchez.