Obituary: Frank Joseph Gorkis

Frank Joseph Gorkis

Frank Joseph Gorkis

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at 4:01 p.m. the big and determined heart of a quiet man gave out and Frank Joseph Gorkis passed away. Frank was 89 years old and lived in the Country Rest Mobile Park in Chino Valley, Arizona. He passed away in his own home surrounded by friends and family who held his hand and stayed close to his side.

Frank was born Feb. 10, 1926, in the home of his parents, Frank and Veronica Gorkis who lived in Chicago, Illinois. He was welcomed by sisters Mary and Anne. Later the family grew with the birth of John, Andrew and Bernice.

From an early age, Frank struggled with asthma so severe he could not lay flat and had to sleep in an upright chair. Doctors told his parents he would not live past his teenage years. His mother determined to see Frank survive, sent Frank to the dry climate in Arizona to stay with family friends with hope his health would improve. After high school graduation with his health somewhat improved, Frank moved to California. He built a life not known to his family in Chicago as he only returned to the city a few times.

Frank began work at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in 1962. During his years at Lockheed, he also attended Glendale Community College where his focus was aviation electronics. In 1970, he was given a certificate of award as the outstanding student in the entire Technical Education Department at Glendale. Frank went on to obtain an additional 189 hours of instruction in Electronic Assembly.

Frank worked in Burbank, California and the Palmdale, California Skunk Works. During the time he was employed with the Skunk Works group, the Stealth fighter plane and the Sr71 Blackbird were developed. He received many awards of commendation for his outstanding efforts and contributions, many of which came from Lockheed customers.

Frank loved his job at Lockheed because of his fascination with electronics.

In November 1965, he married Alma Ruth Montgomery Simpson in Imperial, California. There were no children and the marriage ended in divorce five years later. Frank went on to meet the love of his life, Ruby Jewell Childers, a beauty from Pineville, Kentucky. They married in Los Angeles, California on Dec. 22, 1973, and remained a loving couple until Frank's death.

Frank's German shepherd dogs, Cody and Rex, were true friends and he loved those dogs as much as the dogs loved him.

Frank is survived by Ruby his wife of 41 years; his brother John Gorkis (Sheila) of Germantown, Ohio; his brother Andrew Gorkis (Linda) of Scottsdale, Arizona; his sister Bernice Gorkis Foley of Chicago, Illinois; his nephews Steven Gorkis (Kathy), Frank Gorkis (Kathleen) both of Naperville, Illinois; his nieces, Kathy Harvat Kennedy of Bloomington, Illinois, Barbara Gorkis of Scottsdale, Arizona. Frank is also survived by many great nephews and one great niece.

Preceding him in death were his sisters Mary Gorkis of Chicago, Illinois, Anne Gorkis Harvat of Bloomington, Illinois and Patrick Gorkis and John Harvat.

A remembrance of Frank's life will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Chino Valley Word of Life Assembly of God Church, 590 W. Road 1 North, Chino Valley. All are invited to stay for a luncheon following the service.

Arrangements were entrusted to Chino Valley Funeral Home.

Information provided by survivors.


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