Gary L. Fronk, 74, of Sun City West, Ariz., died Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Hospice of the Valley of multiple illnesses after a four-month battle.
He was born Jan. 17,1937, in Iola, to Charles and Winifred Fronk. He attended Humboldt High School. He continued his education at Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.
His work career began in Kansas City at BMA, continued with General United in Des Moines, Iowa, and finally with USLife in Arlington Heights, Ill. In 1998, he retired after 40 years in the insurance industry.
One of his greatest pleasures was volunteering his time at the South Des Moines Little League in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1981, he brought a sense of community to Southeast side of Des Moines by restructuring the entire league and in 1982, he pioneered the Handicap League allowing children with various disabilities to participate in Little League. Many of his strongest friendships were forged at South Des Moines Little League.
In 2000, Fronk and his wife, Patricia, moved to Sun City West.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Christopher, New Carlisle, Ind., along with wife, Tracy, and their children, Sarah, 9, Benjamin, 7, and Isaac, 3; a daughter, Nicole Fronk, Greeley, Colo., and her children, Jacob, 13, Payton, 10, and Shane, 7; a sister, Janice Smith, Sun City West and her husband, Joe; a niece, Lisa Smith, Des Moines; and close friends, Bramlet Wise, Hilltop Lakes, Texas, and Bill McCarthy, Des Moines.
A brother, Leland, died earlier.
He will be remembered as a loyal friend, a stern and fair boss and family man.
Services will be at 11 a.m. April 11 at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. June 25 in Highland Cemetery in Iola.
Memorials to Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, Hospice of the Valley may be sent to 14066 W. Waddell Rd., Surprise, AZ 85379 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.
Gary Fronk
