Leon Murry Frakes was born December 9, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Henry Brandenburg and Estella Muriel Hedgecock Frakes. He died at home Wednesday, July 8, 2020, in Tulsa, Ok-lahoma, at the age of 92 years. Leon was reared on the family farm on East Apache St. He was a graduate of East Central High School where he excelled in basketball, participated in 4-H, and served as the Senior Class President. Leon’s entire life was dedicated to Rodeo. He and his classmate, Jim Shoulders, began their bull riding careers as teenagers practicing on Grandpa Frakes’ dairy herd. Leon participated in rodeos all over the United States in the 1940s and 1950s and was a member of the professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (RCA). He transi-tioned into the stock contractor business in 1957. In 1976 he formed the OMAK Rodeo com-pany and produced rodeos across the Midwest. After 50 years of producing rodeos and rais-ing many top performing bulls and bucking horses, Leon retired from the rodeo business in 2008. Though retired from the business, Leon remained engaged with rodeo by continuing to raise bucking bulls. To his many friends and rodeo family, Leon is fondly referred to as “Pap-py”.
Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
His children; Melanie Frakes Stokes, of Owasso, Oklahoma
John Frakes and wife Jan, of Owasso, Oklahoma
Henry “Hank” Frakes, and wife Heather, of Purcellville, Virginia
Sara Cresswell (Stepdaughter), of Owasso, Oklahoma
Grandchildren; Michael Stokes
Shelbie Frakes Morehead
Henry, Estella, Lucy, Natalie and Peter Frakes
Cindy Slagle, Shelly Scully, Scott Cresswell
Great grandchildren; Skyler Stokes
Hailey and Kinsley Morehead
Kaley Slagle, Vivian, Harper, Farrah, Naomi Cresswell, Steely and JJ Scully.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bernard Frakes, Gerald Frakes, and Dale Frakes, sister, Lafaun Jones, first wife, Jerry (Dobey) Frakes, and second wife Bette (Lepley) Frakes.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at the Mowery Funeral Service Chapel in Owasso with Pastor Leonard Pirtle officiating. Com-mittal service and interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
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