Tempe – Frank J. Akers passed away on October 31, 2018 at the age of 95. He was born in northern California and grew up in Chowchilla, CA where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Billie Jean Creager. They were happily married for over 51 years before her passing in 1995. Frank is survived by his five daughters, Billie Jean Nigro, Margaret McAnally, Barbara Jackson, Jackie Miller and B.J. Reed. He had nine grandchildren, several step grandchildren and a multitude of great grandchildren, all of whom he loved and cherished! Frank was 19 years old when he became a commissioned officer and pilot in the Army Air Corp during World War II. Frank flew as a commercial pilot with Bonanza Airlines, merging into AirWest; Hughes AirWest; and finally retired with Republic Airlines (which eventually became Delta Airlines). Frank was very active in the Masonic Lodge, El Zaribah Shrine (Captain of the Temple Guard) and drove a little red Indy car in multiple parades entertaining children and adults. He was also very active in the Order of Eastern Star where he was a Past Worthy Grand Patron for the State of Arizona. Frank J. Akers’ Celebration of Life service will be held in his church at 10:00am on Saturday, November 24, 2018 – Church of Epiphany – Episcopal; 2222 South Price Road, Tempe, AZ 85282. A reception will follow.
Published in The Arizona Republic on Nov. 18, 2018