Frank Vladimir Hokr

Frank was born Aug. 1, 1924 in Cicero, Illinois to Czechoslovakian immigrants. He lived in Illinois, Indiana and finally in California, where he completed high school at Manual Arts in Los Angeles. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp and became a navigator of a B-24 Liberator in the 461st Bomber Group. His plane was shot down on it's first mission on December 17, 1944, He and eight of his crew members were captured and transferred to Stalag 1 in Germany until liberated on April 30, 1945. He eventually returned to California where he attended UCLA and Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles.

He married Lillian Maslowski August 5, 1950 just before being recalled to Japan during the Korean Conflict. He served with the 452nd Bomber Group, flying 53 successful missions.

He returned to California and he and Lillian made their home in North Hollywood, where he worked as a graphic artist in advertising and public relations. They moved to Fresno in 1991, where in his "retirement" Frank was actively involved as a docent at the Veterans Memorial Museum, and the American Ex-Prisoners of War Fresno Chapter #1, volunteering to speak at various high school history classes about his experiences and proudly marching in the Veterans Day Parades for many years. He was a member of the Disabled Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and The American Legion. Frank and Lillian were active members of St. Jane Frances de Chantel church in North Hollywood and St. Anthony of Padua in Fresno as well as Los Angeles and Fresno Sokol organizations.

Frank passed away Tuesday November 26, 2019 and was preceded in death by his wife Lillian in 2010. He is survived by 3 children, Karla Carlsen and her husband Carl of Clovis, Meri McManus and her husband Jim of Makawao Hawaii, and Frank J. Hokr and his wife Michelle of Lake Balboa. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Peter Allwine, Kelly Carlsen Ratekin, Nicole Rosen, Bridget Carlsen, Michelle Rosen, Hannah Naidich, Olivia Hokr, William Hokr and 2 great-grandchildren, Levi Ratekin and Connor Ratekin.

Please join Frank's family for a Celebration Life at his daughter Karla Carlsen's Home on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm.

Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the Hokr family.