Frank John Errea passed peacefully at his home on January 16, 2018. Frank was born to Miguel (Mike) and Juanita (Echeberria) Errea on September 18, 1938 in Coalinga, CA. He was honored to be named after his Tio Frank Echeberria. His father and maternal grandparents were born in Spain and he was extremely proud of his Basque heritage. Frank grew up on his family’s farms between Huron and Coalinga. He graduated from Coalinga High School in 1956 as a Horned Toad. He loved to talk about anything Coalinga. In high school he played the tuba and took up photography, fortunately for his family it was the latter that he continued to enjoy for life. He loved cameras and even did some photography as a side business. After high school, Frank graduated with an Associate degree from Coalinga College in 1959 then attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. His time at Cal Poly was cut short by a near fatal car accident that left him in an extended coma. Frank recovered and successfully finished with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Mechanics from Fresno State College in 1964. He was very active in college and made many life-long friends.
After college, Frank spent more time on the family ranch in San Ardo, Ca. This is when he would become more acquainted with the neighbor’s daughter, Joanne Freeman. They were married on June 28, 1969 at Mission San Miguel and their reception was the first event ever at the newly completed expo building at the Paso Robles Fairgrounds. It was quite a celebration and some still talk about it today. Frank and Joanne made their home in San Ardo, CA.
Frank enjoyed being on the ranch and had fond memories of working with his Mom and Pop. He would spend his life farming, first in the valley and then barley at San Ardo. As the barley went out, more cattle came in. Frank ran cattle with the Rocking 11 brand.
Frank worked in the San Ardo oilfields in the first years of his marriage then was back on the ranch. Frank was a volunteer firefighter on the San Ardo Volunteer Fire Department from 1979 to 2001, which he loved. He was a member of the San Miguel Lion’s Club since the 1970’s and also held multiple offices, including President. Until the last few years, he could be seen each Saturday night at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in San Ardo.
In 1992, Frank overcame his long battle with alcohol addiction and was proud to be sober for 25 years this last November. He had been very involved with the King City Sun Street Center and AA in the decade following his rehab and would spend many nights there helping out. Frank was fluent in Spanish which allowed him to volunteer as a translator at the center.
Frank was the curious type and liked gadgets and gizmos. He enjoyed taking them apart and putting them back together to see how they worked. Sometimes they never worked again. Anything electronic was always a good gift for him. He loved to vegetable garden but did not like to fight with all his wife’s roses. His perfect day was a long nap in the sun and to pick a few tomatoes for dinner before coming in. In the last few years it was rides to town with Joanne and their beloved poodle, Novia that he enjoyed. Always the jokester, he loved meeting new people on their travels. He especially liked going to Morro Bay for fish and chips or the drive around by Nacimiento and San Antonio lakes. It is his sense of humor, teasing and how he never took himself very serious that his family will miss most. He could also make the greatest chimpanzee smile that you couldn’t help but laugh at.
Frank is survived by his wife, Joanne Errea and poodle, Novia of San Ardo, CA. His in-laws, David and Kathy Rossi of San Ardo, CA. Niece, Dusty (Chris) Johnson and grandnephew, Tommie Johnson of San Ardo, CA. His brother, Miguel (Dorothy) Errea of San Ardo, CA and their children and granddaughters. Along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
A visitation is planned for Friday, January 26, 2018 from 4pm to 7pm at Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St in King City, CA. A private family burial will occur on a later date at San Ardo Cemetery.
The family asks in lieu of flowers to make donations to the Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum (MCARLM), P O Box 644, King City, CA 93930. Frank enjoyed this museum because of all of the old farm equipment and history. The museum also happens to be having their Annual Drury Tankersley Memorial Clam Chowder feed on the night of the visitation, Friday, January 26 in the Orradre Building, Salinas Valley Fairgrounds on Canal Street in King City.
Arrangements were entrusted to Eddington Funeral Services, 429 Bassett St., King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .
