Francis Joseph Kaiss (Frank)

Frank passed away peacefully on Monday, December 5th, 2022 after a brief illness.

Frank was born on Thursday, July 25th, 1929, in San Diego, California, to Martha Jane Callender and Francis Joseph Kaiss Senior. The family moved back east when he was two years old. His father was stationed at the Navy Yard where Frank enjoyed spending Thanksgivings with the Marines eating ketchup sandwiches. He joined the Sea Scouts and spent time motor boating on Dutch Schultz’s rum runner boat that had been confiscated for use by the Sea Scouts. His father bought a farm in Virginia where young Frank enjoyed hunting with his dog Duke, fishing and shooting guns. At his mother’s request he took tap lessons which created a love of dance.

After moving to D.C., and his father’s passing, he attended and graduated from Coolidge High School in 1947. His favorite car was a green, 1939 Ford Coupe that was never beaten in a race. Frank always said that guys came all the way from California with high end racing cars, but the ’39 Ford was unbeatable. He loved many cars through the years including his “66 T-Bird.

Frank married his high school sweetheart, Jackie Utz, in 1949. The couple were very social with a large network of friends and family. There was always a party or get together to attend that included lots of jazz, dancing and laughter. They were blessed with three children. Frank had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and cherished his friends and family. Most of his adult life he spent as a General Contractor at the helm of Kaiss Construction Inc. His many building projects can be seen throughout the DMV region. During his working years, he became a Mason and earned his 32nd degree to become a Shriner.

After retirement, Frank enjoyed driving patients and their families to various Shriner hospitals for care. After Jackie passed in 2010, he moved into Leisure World where he made several new friends. His church family reached out with goodies and visits that he enjoyed. Some of his favorite things were watching the wildlife in his yard, eating homemade pancakes and watching cowboy shows and, of course, good music.

Beloved father of Frank J. Kaiss III (Lena), Carolyn Kaiss Damaré (Bill), and Connie Kaiss (Meade Weaver). Beloved grandfather of Kristi Agosto (Pedro), Jesse Kaiss (Savannah), Kurt Damaré, and Samantha Warner (Cameron). Beloved great grand-father of Danny & Vincent Agosto, and Audrey and Wesley Kaiss. Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Carrie Disque, and also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Frank and Jackie will be reunited on what would have been their 74th wedding anniversary in the columbarium at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew.

In lieu of flowers contributions to the Shriners Hospitals or The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew would be greatly appreciated.

The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew:

https://www.mystandrew.org/give/

Shriner’s Hospitals for Children

https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/273578/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=memorial-gifts&c_src2=donate-online-link