Frank was born on February 25, 1933 in Kimmswick, MO to Charles and Helen Kreid. He grew up in southern rural Illinois, where he became an avid hunter. Upon graduation from Benton High School in 1950, he enlisted in the US Air Force.
His career included a tour in Korea, and several missions over Vietnam. Frank was an aircraft mechanic and crew chief on fighter jets in the 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron during the Korean War. In 1957 he married Maxine Crawford of Topeka, Kansas, and 2 years later they and their infant son Jeffrey began a 3 year service tour in Ramstein, Germany. In the 1960’s, he made a transition to flight engineer on the Hercules C-130 turboprop, logging over 3750 flight hours aboard the aircraft. Duty stations included Omaha, Neb; Charleston, SC; Abilene, Tx; and a second tour in Germany. Frank retired from active duty as an E-7 Master Sergeant after 20 years of service to our nation. He was a graduate of the NCO Academy, and received numerous awards and citations.
Upon retirement, he and his family moved to Haughton, La, where he began a second career in Civil Service. Frank joined the Transient Maintenance Crew at BAFB, and within a few years was promoted to the Supervisor of the group. He continued his civil service career for over 20 years. He took up fishing and deer hunting and was active at FBC Haughton. He served as a deacon of the church and as a leader of the Royal Ambassadors mission program.
In 1979, after 22 years of marriage, his wife passed away. In 1980 Frank married the second great love of his life, Shirley Conn. They spent the next 44 years watching their family go and grow. They traveled overseas and across the United States, and enjoyed married life to the fullest.
Frank never met a dog he didn’t like. His childhood dog, Vic, was a favorite. Smokey Stover was jealous, Wyatt Earp was sneaky, Bowser was a chronic chicken killer, Lady Bird was spoiled, and Sarge and Sadie had a bad habit of treeing cats instead of running rabbits. Smokey was a three legged rascal, Boudreaux was a cur, and Bobo and Freckles were escape artists. Frank loved Vic, tolerated Smokey, corrected Wyatt Earp and literally bailed out Bowser. He gave Lady Bird special privileges, took Sarge and Sadie hunting, took Smokey to the vet, and admired Boudreaux’s Catahoula background. He treated Bobo and Freckles like the prodigals they were, always welcoming them back home after a jail break. Frank kept a stockpile of frozen deer bones in back shed for his dogs to gnaw on. More than once someone has said, “ I don’t believe in reincarnation. But if I did, I’d want to come back as one of Frank Kreid’s dogs.”
Frank was a witness to the goodness and greatness of God. He became a Christian when he was in his 30’s and he was a living witness to the power of God to change a man. Frank was gentle and kind, willing to help others, and ready to share the Gospel. He set high standards for himself, worked hard, and encouraged others. He helped raise and mold a blended family. His sons and daughters were fortunate to have a role model like Frank Kreid.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Becky Watts; first wife, Maxine Kreid; sister, Elise Reminger; and brothers, Lincoln Kreid, Roger Kreid, and Charles Kreid.
Frank is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Shirley Kreid; sons, Terry Watts and Jeff Kreid and wife Jeanine; daughters, Lesha Harner and husband Randy and Heidi Nunn and husband Gary; grandchildren, Michael Watts and wife Amber, Courtney Brown and husband Cody, Lauren Ransbottom and husband Chris, Becca Ecoff and husband Andrew and Trevor Nunn; and six great grandchildren: Tyler, Braxton, Emma, Bennett, Nora, and Blakely.
A visitation for Mr. Kreid will be held Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at First Baptist Church of Haughton, followed by a celebration of life beginning at 11:30 am with Dr. Gevan Spinney officiating.
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Frank acted justly. He loved mercy. He walked humbly with his God. And now he is in the presence of his Lord and Savior.
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