Frank (Franklyn) Lee Larick, age 87, of Urbandale, Iowa, departed this life on Tuesday, July 21, 2009.
Frank was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa to Alvin (Lee) and Verna (Nicol) Larick on Sept. 1, 1922. He graduated from Northwood High School and attended Iowa State University. He married Yvonne Watson on Oct. 17, 1942.
Frank served in the Army Air Force in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater as a bomber service technician stationed in India. After returning home he continued his interest in aviation and was a private pilot, certified air frame and power plant technician. He restored and flew several aircrafts as a hobby. Frank was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt and fish. He retired from Massey Ferguson in 1978.
Frank was a charter member of the West Des Moines Elks Lodge 2752 and past post commander of VFW 9668. He was instrumental in forming the Urbandale-Johnston VFW Post. Frank lived in Austin for 10 years and was heavily involved in the VFW.
Frank is survived by his wife, Yvonne; daughters, Karen (Ed) Boyce, Des Moines, Iowa, and Marcia (Tom) Karns, Houston, Texas; son, Frank Larick, Jr., Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren: Eric and Matthew Boyce, Des Moines, Iowa, Kevin Ardona and Angela Adriance, Hawaii, Sam and Amanda Karns, Houston, Texas, and Ryan Perry, Des Moines, Iowa; five great-grandchildren: sisters, Lorvene (Dale) Warfield, Colo. and NaThelle (Jack) Cattanach, Massachusetts; brother, Donald (Carol) Larick, Minnesota; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Barbara; grandson, Dean; sister, Catherine; and brother, John.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at Brooks Funeral Care, 7975 University Blvd, Clive. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday before the service. Internment will be 11 a.m., Monday, July 27 at the Iowa VA Cemetery at the Van Meter exit 113.
The family wishes to continue the celebration of his life at the Elks Lodge, 7400 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VFW Post 9668, 3601 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310.