Frank Peter Mesa, 95, passed peacefully on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the Life Care Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was the husband of Shirley D. McNamee. They were married 42 years when Frank Peter Mesa, 95, passed peacefully on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the Life Care Center she passed in August of 1995.
Born in Colby, Kansas on June 29, 1921, he was the second son of four to Cecilia and Trinidad Mesa. He graduated High School in Wheatland, Wyoming and was inducted into the United States Army on September 16, 1942. He served his country proudly in WWII and was honorably discharged on March 13, 1946. His decorations include an American Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He had careers in many fields including ranch hand, construction, boxing coach, hunting guide and with the Laramie Police Department as a Meter Maintenance Officer. After more than 40 years of employment, he retired from the Laramie Safeway grocery store.
He was a devout Catholic and attended services at St. Laurence O’Toole cathedral. He loved hunting and fishing. He was very proud of his home and his property. He loved his dogs and worked tirelessly on his fruitful, award winning gardens. He raised turkeys and chickens in his backyard chicken coop that many a niece and nephew experienced being chased by his birds while he laughed with delight.
He was a member of the American Legion, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His charitable giving was vast. He made regular donations to St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana, Wounded Warrior Project, cancer organizations, Alzheimer organizations and countless more.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, two brothers Nish and Alfred Mesa, and three sisters, Vera Alcala, Carmen and Anna.
He is survived by his older brother Trinidad Mesa, and many nieces and nephews.
Vigil and rosary will be held Thursday December 1 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church followed by the funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. at St. Laurence O’Toole Church with the Reverend Fr. Dave Erickson, celebrant. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery with military rites by the Laramie Veteran’s Honor Guard and the Wyoming National Guard.
The family asks that in tribute to his memory you consider making a memorial donation to the
Wounded Warrior Foundation or any charity organization of your choice.
I am very sorry about your loss. Death hurts all those left to mourn the loss of such a precious life. It also saddens God when he sees our pain. Jesus compared death to sleep and he has the power to awaken those that are sleeping in death. (John 11:11,25) Soon death will be no more and our broken hearts will be healed. Until that time comes may God grant you strength and peace.
You will be missed. We always enjoyed your stories. May you rest in peace.
Just wanted to express my condolences to the family. Some of the memorable events about uncle Frank was watching him see the wrestling matches and him almost wanting to jump in and help out. I knew not to call around this time. The other was hearing him talk about his tomatoes plants and seeing how much he loved his pets. Over the years I had the opportunity to chat with him occasionally and enjoyed conversing with him about different topics, and on the top list was conversations about the weather and politics. Enjoyed listening to him laugh and he had a beautiful smile. The other thing of course was him chuckling about me having a fear of the roosters. You will be missed uncle Frank and so thankful for your service to this country. Prayers and thoughts for the family. Sincerely Grace Escamilla-Valdez. NM
Frank was a kind man with a gentle spirit as well and a good neighbor growing up in Laramie. I had the pleasure of working with Frank at Safeway for several years and learned a great deal from him about work, consideration for others, and how to live life to its fullest potential. He lived a full life of 95 years doing things he loved and liked. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I, for one, will miss him not being here.