Francis James Schiappacasse

Frank was born in Santa Cruz, California on May 8, 1931. As a teen he helped his dad at their family owned Service Station where he learned to fix almost anything. He graduated in 1949 from Boulder Creek High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 during the Korean War. He was stationed in the Philippines where they built the Subic Bay Naval Air Station, the single largest earth-moving project ever undertaken by the U.S. Navy. Upon his return Frank initially helped his Dad at the Service Station and then started work at the Lockheed Test Base as a liaison engineer on the Gemini Series spacecraft. He eventually returned to the Service Station industry opening his own Gulf Service Station in Boulder Creek, CA. Frank was also the Captain of the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department for 17 years before moving to Grants Pass.

He married Marilyn Kay MacKenzie on June 12, 1955. They had three children, DeAnne born in 1958, James (Jim) in 1960, and Lisa in 1961. In 1971, Frank relocated his family to Grants Pass, Oregon where eventually he started his own business “Southwest Golf and Industrial Vehicles.” Frank never really retired and enjoyed helping others.

He was an active member of Elks Lodge #1584 where he was past Exalted Ruler, a Masonic Lodge member for over 60 years, and was an active member of the Early Days Gas Engine & Tractor (Edge & T) Club #9. He could be seen for decades on his Oliver tractor grading the track during the Father’s Day event at Pottsville.

Frank was known and loved for his kind heart and generosity. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jim in 2015. He is survived by his two daughters DeAnne Schultz of Winchester, KY and Lisa Rice of Grants Pass, OR, 4 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Grants Pass Masonic Lodge, 320 NW E Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.