Frank Burr

A funeral ceremony honoring and remembering Frank Burr, Jr. will be held at 1 PM Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the New Spring Family Church in Jenks. Pastor Greg Ables will be officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5-7 PM Wednesday at the RiverCrest Chapel in Bixby. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bixby Funeral Service.

Frank was born March 6, 1932 in Webbers Falls, the son of Frank, Sr. and Lydia (Stout) Burr. He was one of 13 children, who grew up on a couple hundred acres where they raised many crops and cattle. The family had a long history in the farming community of Webbers Falls. Frank’s grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Burr, was a deputy U.S. Marshall there before statehood in Oklahoma Territory. Frank was especially close to his sisters throughout his childhood. As hard as he tried, his sister Helen could still pick more cotton in a day than he could. Frank’s sisters were tough and would always stick up for their little brothers. The neighbor boys learned the hard way, that if you picked a fight with one Burr, you’d better be ready to fight them all. Frank also loved playing baseball while attending school in Webbers Falls.

Upon enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1950, Frank would serve three years while earning a Bronze Star during the Korean Conflict. He also served as a drill instructor after returning from the war. Frank loved to march, so much so that he fondly recalled the camp C.O. specifically requesting him to parade march the troops, rather than one of the commissioned officers. Frank’s best friend during his tour in Korea, was a Sergeant named Marvin Goetz. Marvin thought so much of Frank that he introduced him to his half-sister, Agnes Schatz. They would correspond by mail for several months. While on leave, Frank drove to North Dakota to meet her. He knew immediately that Agnes Schatz was the girl for him! The couple eloped and married November 12, 1952 in Mobridge, South Dakota. They spent 64 wonderful years together.

Frank began his career as a machinist in the oil pump manufacturing industry and was promoted to shop foreman at an early age. He spent the better part of 40 years working for John Martin Manufacturing. Frank would eventually learn all facets of the company such as drafting and programming of the machines. At the time of his retirement, Frank ran the entire shop while successfully leading about 30 employees.

Retirement brought many good years to Frank and Agnes. They spent most of their time keeping up their 5 acres just west of Jenks where they were known to be master gardeners. The couple raised their children on the property they owned for over 55 years. Frank was always a devoted member of New Spring Family Church in Jenks. He and Agnes were also active pollsters and volunteered countless hours at the Jenks Food Bank. A bit of a show-off on water skis, Frank recently skied behind his son’s boat at the age of 75! Many stories can be told about how Frank earned the nickname “Ski King” through the years on Lake Keystone.

Frank was really proud of his Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2018 along with his son, Rick and his brother, Ed. He will not soon be forgotten by a host of family and friends who loved him.

Surviving family members include his sons, Kenneth Burr and wife, Beth of South Lake, Texas, and Ricky Burr and wife, Pamela of Glenpool; his grandchildren, Kelly, Joshua, and Heather; his great-grandchildren, Maggie, Silas, Matthew, Michael, and MacArthur; and his brothers, Ed Burr of Jenks, and Tom Burr of Collinsville.

Frank was preceded in death by his loving wife Agnes, and siblings, Alfred, Juaneva, Helen, Mable, Thelma, Reitha, Robert H., Betty, Fred, and Judy.

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