Dad

Frank Okelberry

October 2, 1955 - May 10, 2010

I have been neglecting my blog for too long. I knew I was to the point that I needed to blog about my dad's passing, and have been putting it off because I struggled with what to write.
This post is really just for my kids. I have uploaded a bunch of pictures of my dad that we used for the funeral, as well as some that I had on cd etc. I also copy and pasted all the condolences I had from friends and family on facebook as well as from the guest book under his obituary online. Since I plan on eventually publishing a copy of this blog for each of them, I wanted to make sure I included as much as possible.

He had been sick for several years prior to his death. He struggled with addiction as well as with diabetes. He didn't take care of himself as he should have. He lost his battle in this life on May 10, 2010. I miss him terribly, and it makes me sad to think of all the things he will miss. . . but I am so glad that he is no longer sick and suffering the way he was while he was here. I'm glad that he got to meet my kids, but I wish that they knew the man that I grew up with. The addiction robbed them of that. But I hope they never forget him.

Rest in Peace, Dad.

We love you and miss you so much!

(I will include captions for the pics where I can)

This was his 54th birthday-the last one we celebrated with him.

Dad, with his parents -the last visit they had before he passed.


In the waiting room at one of Dad's MANY doctor appointments. . .trying to occupy Jace a little bit.




Christmas 2009. Kind of a funny picture since he has no teeth in.



Him, holding Jace. Another funny one cuz he had shaved his mustache. He used to do that sometimes when we were growing up, at New Years.


Christmas 2009. Trying out his neck messager he got from Mariah and Kyle. He was in heaven.


Another one from his birthday 2009

A cropped picture from Mariah's wedding. He has this one on his facebook profile. He had one that he took of himself with his cell phone that wasn't so cute, so we scrambled and hooked him up with this one.

Jada took this one with her camera. . I think it was taken at her birthday party in April 09

Picture of all his good lookin kids at his birthday dinner 09

Mariah's Baptism

Family Picture. . minus Michaela

See how happy we all were? Note: this was taken BEFORE any of the others were born! :)

This was his first Christmas after he and mom were married.

This was taken in front of our house in Santaquin. . not too long before we moved to Salt Lake.

Dad with all his Tsinnie brothers.

Christmas was always good at aour house! Dad was like one of us kids.

Daddy Daughter Date-Santaquin

Mom and Dad's engagement pics

That's me, showing him who's boss!

He's holding me and Jeran

Dad's high school senior picture

Michaela's baptism

He kept and wore that robe til it had holes!

Another pic with some of Tsinnie brothers. . taken later than the first one.

More Tsinnie Fam

Dad loved fishing!

Jeran's 9th grade promotion

The older hairy guy is Grandpa Bingham

Holding Mariah and Jeran

Dad with his best friend, Richard.

Yoshi was a guy from Japan that stayed with us for awhile. He became part of our family!

He loved to hunt too!

He played the guitar and sang well too. Some of the fondest memories I have are him playing the guitar and singing with us. . . we remember Yellow Submarine and Red River Valley.

More fishing.

He played in some play in Santaquin.

Him with his biological parents, Grandpa and Grandma Tsinnie

He was such a good dad!

Here he had split his pants in the and was wearing a pair of shorts over them.

Here he is with his adoptive parents. . the Grandma and Grandpa Okelberry, and me.

He and his brother Dan Okelberry, dressed as indians. . . they didn't need to dress up!

Dad and Uncle Dan

Dad and Uncle Dan with Grandma Okelberry

He's reading to Jada.

He was a good grandpa!

He was a great influence in my life and helped me to become a better person. So sad that this disease took him from you so soon. May he live with you always in your hearts and memories as your guardian.

-Hayden Waters

I was sad when I heard the news. Frank and I were friends in 1st grade (1961) and until his family moved from Spanish Fork. It was great to meet up with him again in Santaquin in 1977. Your family has always been great friends. God bless.

-Jack Stickney

Nakoa, I'm sorry again about your dad, please call if you just need to talk, I love you and your family. Your dad was an amazing man, he had a good heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

-Marinda Carter

Oh this breaks my heart. You dad was a huge influence in my life. I will always treasure what he did for me. After losing my dad a few years ago, I pray for you to have strength and peace.
-Erin Collins Ray Lewis

Nakoa, your dad will be so missed. He was such a funny guy!! I hope you are comforted to know that he is at peace now.
-Kristy Pulham James

Nakoa- i'm so sorry your dad has passed. i remember meeting him while working at UNI! i was pregnant with my first at the time, and he was always so thoughtful and willing to help me. so friendly and always a joke to share. i'm really sorry nakoa.
-Kortney Adams Payne

I read his obituary today Nakoa! I remember the ambulance years with him! They were fun. I also remember the many many years we were neighbors. I miss you guys and want you to know I am thinking of you.

-Laurie Kelson Lloyd

We will miss his laugh and smile. So sorry for your loss and let us know if there is anything we can do when we come down. Love ya

-Rose MacKenzie

Nakoa--I was sorry to hear about your Dad passing away. He was a great guy. He gave my kids Dad a blessing one time that ultimately saved his life. I enjoyed being in the ward with all of you in Santaquin 1st Ward.
-Marge Wiesmore House (Marge Richards)

Your dad was an amazing person. The fact that I'm a well functioning adult is part credit to him. I'm so sorry for you to lose him. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. I understand how hard it is to lose a great dad.

-Erin Collins Ray Lewis

Frank was such a good guy to me, no matter what he was one of the people who believed in you no matter what the circumstances. He is truly a loss to this world, he carried my respect and admiration. I hope you find some comfort in the thought of knowing how many peoples lives he touched and how many of those he made a difference in.
-Hayden Waters

Nakoa I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. He was one of my favorite cousins. (I'm Davids daughter) I remember when your Mom was pregnant with you. I don"t think there was a prouder Daddy ever. We had connected up on face book and chatted and it was good. My prayers are with you. Love Alta
-Alta Okelberry Patterson

Nakoa, I was so sad to here about your dad. I am his cousin, Becki Ainge Knepper. I have so many fun memories of him growing up. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. I live in South Dakota and wish I could be there for you, but know that I am thinking of you at this time. Love, Becki
-Becki Lee Ainge Knepper

You all are just like family. Your kids grew up with our kids. We have such fond memories of camping, going to Lagoon, singing together, attending family events together. Supporting each other, praying for each other, loving and laughing together. Frank we will miss the good times but we always have those memories in our hearts and know we will see you again someday.

-Bob & Rose MacKenzie

I have very fond memories of playing with Frankie and Danny, Bevan, and Lola when we were little. Why did those days go by so fast? My prayers are with your family. Love from another cousin.

–Debbie (Lamb) Anderson

EVEN THOUGH I HADN’T SEEN FRANK IN TOO LONG OF A TIME, I AM SO SORRY HE IS GONE, I REMEMBER PLAYING WITH DANNY AND FRANKIE WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE AS I WASN’T MUCH OLDER. –LOLA BIRD (BOWLES)COUSIN MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY

HI I love frank dearly. I always enjoyed his company. Our love goes out to his family and friends. Yes, He will be missed

-Joneldia Surface

Love you uncle Frank!!

-TSINNIE FAMILY

Uncle Frank I love you so much, I will always miss you and keep you in my heart. I’m sorry I hardly ever came around but if I could I would change it. Just know that we love you with all our hearts & miss you dearly . . .

–Sina Tsinnie

We will miss you uncle Frank.

–Tsinnie & Blackhair Family

We always looked forward to his visit to the rez in Tuba City. He was our uncle. He always left us with good encouragement. We will miss him.

– Tsinnie & Blackhair Family

Frank was a great Dad. He love his family and friends. He is out of pain now. He will be missed.

–Allison Stickney Herring

Frank was a wonderful cousin to me growing up. I had been back in contact with him through facebook and loved our chats. We shared memories and it was just nice having him back in my life. Such a sad thing for all his Family to go through. I will miss Frank. My love goes out to his family and to Debbie. I will miss you cousin. Love Alta

-Alta Okelberry Patterson

Nakoa and Family,
My heart goes out to you at this time. May you find peace. Your Dad was such a nice and wonderful man. Love, Kim Reilly

-Kimberly (Asay) Reilly

I’m so sorry for your loss. May you all take confort knowing he is in a better place.

–Terry Van Otten

Even in the end. . . so begins anew. Your dad’s journey continues but this time with a strong and healthy body and mind. I know you miss him. . . . I love your family.

–Candy Hunter

Please accept my sympathy. I am a cousin of William Okelberry

-MarDella Berrett

Nakoa, my heart goes out to you and your family. Frank will surely be missed. I am so fortunate that I was able to be his nurse and very good friend. If only I had more time to spend with him. We enjoyed movies, dinners, and just good conversations. This is just the beginning of a life process that we will all share with him when we are able to be with him again in a far better place then we are now. Frank. . . I love and miss you very much. I hope you will greet me along with your family at the “Pearly Gates”.

–Sherrie Moschetti

I am so sorry for your great loss. I loved Frank. I was honored to be a part of his life for a short time. I wish I had more time to spend with him. I do believe that he is waiting with open arms for all of his loved ones. He talked of his family often and loved you all so much. I only wish I had known him when he was younger. He was such a sincere friend. God bless you all. His nurse and friend, Sherri Moschetti

-Sherrie Moschetti

My condolences go out to Frank’s family. I had the privilege of knowing and being Frank’s CNA for two years. He was truly an inspiration to fellow residents and staff at the care center. He is greatly missed. It’s comforting to know that he is in a better place. Much love.

–Amy Shaw

I was privileged to work with Frank at WIN in the early 90’s. He taught me a great deal, and he helped many young people. He was a good man whose spirit touched me.

–K.R. Silvers
I am dearly sorry for your loss. May my dearest uncle rest in peace. . . Loved him very much and regret dearly that I never got to see him again. Just wish I had that time back. Once again I am sorry for your loss. May God protect him while he sleeps and have angels watch over him.

-Thomalita Tsinnie

We are sorry for your loss. Frank was a great person, but now is with our Heavenly Father. I am sure that he is at peace, and no longer suffering with his health problems, but I also know how much all of you will miss him. We are so sorry that we were unable to attend the viewing, and I will be unable to attend the service. I hope it is nice, and will help all of you deal with your loss. Our prayers are going out for all of you to help give you strength at this difficult and very sad time.

-Tawna & Bill Blodgett

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father. I have fond memories of Brother Okelberry as my Young Men's leader. He was my priest quorum advisor. I remember him taking us on a nice fishing trip to the rivers of Santaquin. I always enjoyed going to his lessons on Sunday. He understood us as young men and was a great example. I remember all of us watching the BYU football game together. He was very supportive of me personally. He was a wonderful example and I will always remember him. Sincerely, Spencer Nordfelt

-Spencer Nordfelt