Francis ''Frank'' A. Degrood Obituary (1918 - 2004)

Francis A. (Frank) DeGrood Frank A. DeGrood, 86, passed away on September 18, 2004 at the Emeritus Assisted Living of complications due to age. Frank was born in Buffalo, New York on July 20, 1918 to Francis A. DeGrood and Ada Ruthemeyer. Frank moved from Buffalo to Cincinnati, Ohio at age 3 when his father passed away. He lived in Cincinnati with his mother, sister Ceil, and brother Lawrence. Frank attended Western Hills High School where he was active in sports. He played football, basketball, and baseball during high school. Frank worked several jobs during his teenage years to help support his family. Dad joined the Army Air Force at age 19 where he served in World War II. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Africa and Italy. He was later stationed at Hill Air Force Base where he met Elaine Black. Frank married Elaine in Ogden in September 22, 1945. She died on August 11, 1990. Frank was an avid sports fan. He loved to play and to watch. Frank played softball for Beckers and American Legion Post 1006 at the old Affleck Park. Frank loved to bowl and was very good at it. He was inducted into the Ogden Bowling Hall of Fame, as well as the Utah Bowling Hall of Fame. Frank also spent many hours playing golf and enjoying friendships. He enjoyed being outdoors and always walked whether it was the golf course or the mall. Frank worked for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company for 40 years before retiring. For many years he was the secretary of the Ogden Bowling Association. He loved going to all the bowling lanes and enjoying friends there. Frank was a member of the Catholic Church and attended St. James Parish. Dad's greatest joy was his grandchildren. He was a devoted grandfather spending countless hours going to the park, to Arby's, to ball games, to the mall and playing games with them. Their lives are better because he was there. He is survived by his children, Janice Combe, North Ogden; Dennis (Mia) DeGrood, Pleasant View; Pat (Denis) Farr, Roy; eight grandchildren: Jenifer (Brent) Buist, Jaime (Rand) Bradford, Josh (Amy) Combe, Kris Hess, Debbie Martin, John (Monica) DeGrood, Shay (Mark) Lange, Tyler (Heidi) Farr. He also had five great grandchildren: Ashlee and Alyssa Buist, Alex Martin, Zac DeGrood, and Carson Lukes. Also surviving is his brother-in-law, Robert D. Black, Roy; and sister-in-law, Donna Rapposelli, Alameda, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine; his mother and father; his sister Ceil; brother Lawrence; his in-laws Les an Arvilla Black; and one granddaughter Amy Farr. For years Dad enjoyed living at the Gardens Assisted Living. We would like to thank the staff for their care and friendship during those years. We, his family, wish to thank the Pioneer wing of Emeritus Assisted Living for their love, care, and concern for our dad during the last stage of his life. Your care made his journey so much easier. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 September 22, 2004 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary of Ogden 845 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 September 23, 2004 1:00 PM CemeteryWashington Heights Memorial Park 4500 Washington Blvd. Ogden, UT 84403 September 23, 2004