Frank Martin Barta Jr.

Frank Barta, Jr. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away on February 11, 2021, at the age of 76. After a short illness, Frank died peacefully with his beloved wife Kathleen and their three daughters by his side.

Frank was born in El Campo, TX on April 21, 1944, to Frank Barta Sr. and Erma Barta, the fourth sibling of three sons and five daughters. Frank graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1962. He grew up working on his family’s small farms. His work ethic and desire to serve our nation led to him enlisting in the Air Force on July 5, 1964. While stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base, he met Kathleen Steglich and they married on February 13, 1971.

Frank served honorably and rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, becoming a mechanical expert for the military’s F-4 Phantom fighter-bomber. Frank served in Ton Son Nhut, Vietnam and was also stationed in varied places such as Castle Air Force Base, CA, Zweibrucken Air Base, Germany, MacDill Air Force Base, FL, and Bergstrom Air Force Base, TX. After retiring from military service on January 1, 1986, Frank entered industry as a Field Service Representative for General Electric as well as other aerospace companies.

In retirement, Frank was a very active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Del City. He started the Knight of Columbus Council 16214, where he served as Grand Knight and then Faithful Navigator. He worked with the council to serve breakfast at the parish after mass, collect outerwear for Coats for Kids, collect donations for the VA, and worked hard to support the ministry to provide ultrasound machines for pro-life efforts.

A man of many trades (and he would say a master of none), his hobbies included cooking (sausage rolls and briskets were a family favorite), carpentry (many of our family homes were furnished in the works of Frank Barta), University of Texas sports (he especially loved the women’s volleyball), and golf (he hit two holes in one, both within three weeks).

Frank Barta was filled with so much love that anyone who met him could feel it. He never met a stranger and always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. He will be missed beyond words.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Raymond and his sisters Joyce Ritter, Dorothy Vacek, and Katherine Cook. He is survived by his wife Kathleen; children Stacy and Wade Palmer, Kathryn and Stephen Foster, Emily and Jason Coats; grandchildren Courtney and Lainey Cothran, Hannah Wright, Carrie Palmer, Franklin and Nolan Coats, Samuel and Kathleen Foster and great-grandchild Elsie.

A visitation for Frank is planned for February 18, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. The visitation will be at the Sunny Lane Funeral Home on 4000 Southeast 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. All are invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on February 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul the Apostle at 3901 S Sunnylane, Del City, OK with Fr. Joseph Sundar presiding.

People wishing to honor Frank’s lifelong commitment to family and country can make donations to Meals on Wheels or St. Paul Catholic Church in Del City.

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