Frank Simas Jr.

Frank Simas, Jr.

Frank Simas, Jr., 88, died on July 13, 2004, from complications of a stroke.

Frank was born on August 20, 1915, in Arcata, to Frank and Maria Simas. He graduated from Arcata High School and attended Humboldt State, where he played football. He married Virginia Nelson on May 22, 1939.

Frank began driving a Mayflower Moving and Storage truck for Baker and Stanton in 1940. By 1952, he had moved into sales for the company and in 1966, purchased Baker and Stanton with business partner, Jack Moore. In 1995, Frank sold his share of Baker and Stanton to the Moore family, and with wife Virginia, opened Simas Home Furniture on the corner of 3rd and “F” Streets. He closed the business and retired in 1987 at age 72.

Over the course of his career, Frank was president of the Northern California Appliance Dealer’s Association, received multiple vendor sales awards, was a member of the Eureka 20/30 Club and Rotary Club, and was an active committee member for United Way. Many Humboldt County residents continue to reminisce that they have known Frank a “long time” because he “sold me my first piece of furniture.”

Frank enjoyed traveling with Virginia to Reno, and after her death, to local casinos. He also enjoyed visiting his sons and their families, yard work, and football, especially on 49er play days. He particularly enjoyed regaling family and other listeners with entertaining stories of past adventures.

Frank is survived by sons, Jeff of Salinas, CA, and Frank, of Eugene, OR, and their wives, Gretchen and Ann; grandchildren, Chris Lehto and Mary Shumard of Eureka, Nick and Justin Simas of Portland, OR, and Karen Simas of Corvallis, OR; and great-grandchildren, Robert of Weaverville, and Katy of Eureka. He also is survived by sister, Doralinda Moser and her husband, Albert; brother, Louie Simas and his wife, Charlene; and sister-in-law, Betty Simas, all of Arcata. Frank also leaves many nieces, nephews, and cousins through the West.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, in June 1997; daughter, Jinny Lehto, in March 1994; and brothers, Manuel and Warren.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to either the American Heart Association, 28 Hanover Lane, Suite B, Chico, CA 95973, or the American Cancer Society, 2942 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501.

A memorial service for Frank will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 17, at Sanders Funeral Home.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.