Frank G. Arellano

Shortly after graduating from high school, Frank married Mary Estrada. They welcomed their first son, David, to the world a year prior to the onset of World War II. Feeling the call to serve his country, Frank attempted to join the Army but was not accepted due to a minor medical condition. So that he may still support the war efforts, Frank found a job as a shipyard welder. During this time, Frank Jr. and Robert were born. The young Arellano family lived in Los Angeles proper until 1950 after which they moved to Van Nuys, just south of the San Fernando Valley.

Following the war, Frank worked as a foreman at Kittell Muffler. They built mufflers for oil wells, ships, trucks, and jet planes. Frank and Mary divorced when David, their eldest, graduated from high school and Frank remarried in 1966 to Ida Mazza. Shortly after remarrying, he retired at the age of sixty-seven.

Frank was a very skilled individual. There was nothing he could not repair or build. He was also proficient at assembling and flying model airplanes. During his late fifties, he became adept at and was quite successful at investing in stocks and real estate. Most of all, he excelled at, and most importantly loved, to play the piano. He played and played until arthritis set in to the point that he could no longer play. The superior and varied talents he used to perform activities are what Frank did. A kind, generous person and a loving family member and friend are who Frank was.

Frank passed away peacefully on February 19, 2011 as his middle son, Frank Jr., read to him from the Bible. He was ninety-three years old.

MISS ME--BUT LET ME GO

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room,

Why cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little - not too long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love

That we once shared,

Miss me - but let me go.

For this is a journey

That we all must take,

And each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Master's plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart,

Go to the friends we know.

And bury your sorrows

In doing good deeds,

Miss me - but let me go.