James Frakes

JD Frakes was born January 19, 1938 to Gladys Jewel and O.P. Frakes in Keene, Texas. JD had two older sisters, Mardee and Maxene. In 1956 he attended Southwestern Adventist Junior Academy. He graduated from Amarillo College with an Associate of Science degree in 1959. While going there he was a member of the very popular Four Steps Quartet. In 1964 he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Through the years his occupations were Mechanical Aerospace Engineer, Real Estate Broker, College Administrator and Farmer/ Rancher. He worked for Bell Helicopter, General Motors, Frakes Aviation, Amarillo College, Century Aircraft and self-employed.

He married the love of his life Kay Smith, January 16, 1960, they were married 63 years. They remolded all the homes they bought over the years and sold them at a profit.

He was on the Texico Conference Association Board of Seventh Day Adventist (The Financial Arm of the Conference). Also on the Salary and Credentials Committee. Several inventions over the years and built a sports car from scratch in his mid-20’s. Genius at figuring out how to fix things. He was head elder, teacher, preached and sang for the SDA. He was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presenters Association. He performed as Lincoln in many areas of the U.S. He was also related to Abraham Lincoln.

In March 1972, JD and Kay bought a house, improvements and 800 acres of cultivated land near Happy, Texas.

JD is survived by his wife Kay Frakes, his daughter Sherri Frakes, his son John Frakes, daughter-in-law Deborah Frakes and a host of loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Maxene Lovell and Mardee Myers.