On April 21, 1931, a beautiful baby boy was born to Abbie Mittie (Maxwell) and Frank Edward Gardenhire. He was named after his father, Frank Edward. As a child the Gardenhire family lived in Eufaula and later on in Muskogee.

As a young man Frank joined the Army and took great pride in serving his country as an artillery gunner at Camp Chaffee, Ft. Sill, Lawton and he was deployed to Korea during the Korean Conflict.  Frank was discharged from the army with military honors.

Upon returning to civilian life Frank entered the work force working at Proctor and Marsh Theaters in Muskogee. He went on to work for Admiral Pest Control for over 34 years with owner Johnny Everett whom his son Everett Paul was named after.  He also worked on construction for many years and put in many overtime hours to buy Everett his first car.

It was while working for Proctor and Marsh alongside his sister Beatrice (Bea) and brother-in-law Clyde Thompson Sr. that he became more acquainted with, who would become the love of his life, Lois Louise Thompson-Jones. It wasn't  just the job that has introduced them, but also the fact that Bea and Frank were siblings and Clyde and Louise were siblings.  It was just meant to be that the Gardenhire and Thompson's would be together.  Once Frank and Louise were married, they shared many wonderful years raising their family of Amos, Cheryl, Glenn, Rhonda, Frank Jr., Linda Faye, and Everett Paul right along with the Thompson crew.  All the first cousins seemed more like siblings as they all grew up together.

Frank joined the Deans Chapel Baptist Church, the family church of his wife Louise, where he participated in the brotherhood faithfully until COVID19 pandemic hit. You could find Frank singing with the brotherhood choir; one of his songs "Because He Lives", working with the bothers cooking and serving, and even cleaning the lot from trees and weeds.  When Frank was chosen and presented the Father of the year and honor he always cherished.

In his spare time, you could find Frank working alongside his wife Louise in their yard.  Frank also loved to sit and play solitaire, wisk in cards and dominoes with family and friends. It was common to hear him say "I am the Teacher", Frank also loved watching football he was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy's fan.

Frank also known as Paw Paw Pap, Uncle Pap, Frankie Joe will be remembered wearing his overalls and cowboy hats after his late father Frank Sr.

After the loss of his wife Louise, Frank continued doing the best he could enjoying his life.  He later met and married Louella Blaine.  With family and friends by his side, Frank (PAP) Gardenhire closed his eyes for the last time on December 21, 2020.

Preceding him to Heaven were his parents Frank and Abbie Mittie, his siblings: Martha, Frank J, "R.C.", Lillie Bell "JoAnn", Ben, Clifford "Butch", ruth, John "Dee", and Beatrice "Bea", his wife Louise, their children Amos, Glenn, Rhonda, Frank Jr., and Linda Faye.

He leaves to cherish his wonderful legacy his wife: Louella Gardenhire, Muskogee; A devoted son: Everett Paul (Sherry) Gardenhire, Muskogee; daughter: Cheryl Luise Chatman, Plano, TX; Grandchildren: Luis Chatman II, Sherilyn Angel Tillman (Joseph), Larry E. Chatman Sr. (Tracey), Shalonda L. Brown, Glynetta Lemon (Darwin), Cherrika Miller (Hosie), Glenn O. Jones Jr. (Christy), Regina Mayfield, Glenn Mayfield, Lawrence Jones (Wynetta) LaRhonda Jones, Frank E. Jones, Ebony Gardenhire, Evelyn Gordon, Latricia "Dee" Edwards (Kendall), Jamal Gardenhire (Rameeka), Kenyon Chatman, Andre Traylor, Son-in-laws: Lawrence Jamison, Luis Chatman Sr., Special Children: Trina Simpson (Patrick), Dewayne Bush, Chauncey Bush (Donna); Sister: Viola Piggee, Nieces: Claudia Lee Stevenson, Brenda Jo Young, Cathy Edwards (Cornelius), Nephews: Fredrick Thompson, Leonard Thompson (Robyne), Lawrence Thompson (Latressia), Wayne Thompson, Special great nieces Patricia Isom and Denise Love, Special Great nephew Darrell Love, and many more great-grandkids, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, family and friends.

A Home Going Celebration will be conducted, Tuesday, December 29,2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Oasis  Community Church 800 W. Peak Blvd, Muskogee, OK. with interment following in Ft Gibson National cemetery.  Honors provided by American Legion Post 20.  Visitation, Monday, Dec. 28th in chapel during the hours of 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

Funeral service streamed, Tuesday at 11 a.m.  (FACEBOOK Live @oasiscommunitychurch)

MASKS WEARING MANDATORY AT ALL SERVICES

The family has been cared for by House of Winn Funeral Home-Muskogee.