David ‘Dave’ John Frank, 81, passed peacefully at Skagit Regional Health on May 12, 2023.
He was born on January 4, 1942 in Sedro-Woolley, WA the son to John and Nellie (Johnson) Frank. Dave grew up in Concrete, Washington, graduating from Concrete High School in 1960.
He attended Skagit Valley College earning his AA degree and worked at various jobs until he enlisted in the Navy in 1965, serving on the USS Intrepid in the waters of Vietnam. He served as an aircraft mechanic and was discharged in 1968.
Dave’s first child, Katherine, was born Nov. 20, 1966. Upon return from the Vietnam War, he attended Western Washington University receiving a degree in Business and simultaneously worked at Northern state Hospital as an attendant. His second child, Joseph, was born Feb. 25, 1974.
Dave and family moved to the Seattle area where he would be employed as an Internal Revenue Agent for the US Government, retiring in 2002.
He had a true passion for cars, especially classic mustangs and hotrods. Upon retirement, he moved to Mount Vernon where he was able to collect the different types of cars he loved. You could normally find Dave in his shop – fixing, shining, or just admiring his cars. His garage always had an “open door” policy, as he welcomed anyone to talk cars, or whatever. Dave also loved car shows and frequented them often, whether looking at or showing one of his cars, he could spend hours talking cars with the many people he knew and would meet.
Dave spent the last several years of his life at Mountain Glen in Mount Vernon just down the road from his home. He enjoyed his time there with many new friends and the amazing staff. His lifelong best friend, Terry Swenson, was a constant in Dave’s life, through thick and thin.
He is survived by his former wife, Beth Barclay; their daughter, Katherine McKenzie, son-in-law, Pat McKenzie and their children – Madisen (25), Olivia (22) and Patrick (20); their son, Joseph Frank, daughter-in-law, Annie Frank and their children – Easton (9) and Georgia (7); his sister, Nancy Apple; nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nellie Frank.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00, on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The NOAH Center or the Wounded Warrior Project. Share your memories of David and sign the online guest register.
I had the opportunity to work with David at the Everett IRS office. Always a true professional and helped me thru the early days on field interviews. He was a genuine nice guy. Hard to find these days.
Dave was one of those extraordinary persons you wish the world had more of. He always had a ready welcoming smile, a warm hello, and time to share a little conversation. He treated everyone this way, no matter who they were, their station in life, whether an old friend or new acquaintance. He liked people, and you could tell!
His warm nature wasn’t just limited to people, though – he was a real soft touch if you had four legs. Just ask Kessler, his beloved Golden Retriever!
At the office, Dave could always be counted on as a good worker: first on the scene to lend a hand and certain to get the job done pronto. Dave had a refreshing and all too rare candor. He said what he meant and meant exactly what he said. His motto was keep things simple.
Ryan and I can never thank Dave enough for all that he added to our lives by just being a the wonderful loving person that he was. If there’s a Heaven, you’ve more than earned your right to be in it, Dave.
You are so missed and loved by many. But we know you’re still looking out for all of us, and we plan to see you again in the great beyond. Rest In Peace, good kind man. Rest In Peace.