Frank Baron was born in Black Bear, Idaho on May 26, 1923. His parents, Samuel and Anna Baron (nee Yawna) emigrated from the Ukraine. They originally settled in Saskatchewan, Canada on a small farm where they raised wheat. These were difficult years and the family moved to Idaho in search of work and eventually settled in Onalaska, Wash. In later years Frank and his brother Joe returned to visit the three farms where his father had moved the family. Each farm was a little nicer, the barn a little bigger and the last farm spanned 300 acres with timber.
After graduating from Onalaska High School Frank was looking for adventure. With very little money he left home to seek his fortune in Seattle. He knew no one there and eventually had only enough money to buy a candy bar. He found work parking vehicles in a garage and loved the opportunity to drive fancy cars. He did well and was promoted, but when his father needed his help harvesting the crops he was happy to return to country life.
In 1944 he went to work for ITT Rayonier where he worked as a trucker for the NW Forest Operations and then as a supervisor of log accounting and dispatching. In later years he worked at the mill as their weighmaster. He met his future wife, George Ann (Georgia) Hunt in Raymond, Wash. and they married in 1947. They had three children, Sydnie Baron and Anna Baron (who now survive him) and a son, Frankie, who was born with a congenital heart defect and died at 18 months.
He was encouraged by Georgia to pursue an interest outside of work and he and a good friend, Leo Coutour, became correspondent students in a television electronics course. He received his diploma in 1974. He was conscientious and dedicated to his part-time business, Frank’s Radio and TV Repair, and was loved by his customers. It was not uncommon to see large TV sets around the house as he monitored them, trying to diagnose intermittent problems. He frequently reduced or waived service fees for his elderly and low-income customers. Though he remained life-long friends with Georgia they divorced in 1966.
He retired from Rayonier in 1984. After retirement his sister Nellie reconnected him with his high school girlfriend, Jeannie Adkins, who lived in Anchorage, Alaska. In his first visit to see Jeannie, he chose to drive the formidable Alaska-Canada Highway, realizing too late this was primarily a truckers’ route. Jeannie later moved to Aberdeen, and they remained close until her death in 2015.
Frank’s life was full after retirement. He became a Lion’s Club volunteer, selling canes and working on the newspaper drives. He also welcomed his good friends David Jensen and John Helms into his home as he studied with the Jehovah Witnesses. In contributing to others he gave donations to a number of charities but his favorites were those who helped veterans. His brothers Walt and Joe both served in WW II.
Frank was soft-spoken, but he loved to laugh. He was interested in world events and educated himself through constant reading. He enjoyed fishing and clam digging and took several memorable fishing trips to Canada with his brother Joe.
Frank was always grateful for the blessings God gave him and for his family and friends. He had a special friend and neighbor, Kathy Twigg who was always there for him when needed. He loved his little dog and companion Abby.
He inherited his parents’ passion for the land. He was happiest in his garden growing wheat or saving his heirloom vegetable seeds. He lived on his little 20-acre farm in the Wishkah Valley for 55 years. At 94 he was still mowing the fields. He died on Nov. 16, 2017. A family memorial is planned for May.
He was a wonderful father. Frank’s daughters remember him with great love and admiration. They remember his message: Be kind to everyone.
Memorials can be donated in Frank’s name to the Wishkah Valley volunteer fire department. He and the family appreciate these faithful volunteers who came to his aid during times of emergencies. They can be contacted at:
Grays Harbor Fire District #10, 4660 Wishkah Road, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
