Frankie Lee Cary, age 81, of Wichita, Kansas passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 of cancer that had taken over the last 2 years of his life. Frankie was born August 11, 1943 in Clarksville, Tennessee to Jerry Cary and Doris (Wilson) Cary. He was later raised by stepfather, Paul Schouten.
He was married to Linda and had a daughter, Karen Marie Cary. In 1975, he married Myrtle Schwader and inherited 4 bonus stepdaughters: Kim Becker, Sharon Pennington (Terry), Karen Schumaker, who is deceased now, and Debra Malek (Ron) and son-in-law, Jim Becker.
Through the years, he accumulated 10 grandchildren: Jeremy Shumaker (Stephanie), Julie Solway, Christy Gallegoes (Preston), Eric Becker (fiance Monica), Andrea Johnson (Kelly), Laura Lichenaeur (Mark), Taylor Sowell, deceased now, Ryan Malek, Kyle Malek and Hannah Malek. He now has 15 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
He loved sports, especially softball, basketball and football. He played softball as a pitcher well into his 50's. He even played with his grandson on a team and ran the down marker box on the chain gang for Maize High for 35 years.
He worked 40 years for Cessna Aircraft (Textron) in many different positions and received a diamond ring. After retirement he went to work at Maize Central elementary school in the school kitchen. He loved all the children and had several great grandkids in the same school. He and a friend, Gene Pollman, started the little kids bitty baseball at Chilton Field in Maize after it had been closed for 7 years. They also started a basketball team for the children. He was very involved in the Jaycees and Lions Club. He was a fan of all Kansas college teams and KC Chiefs. He was very much loved and will be greatly missed!
Frankie is survived by his wife, Myrtle of 49 years; his daughter, Karen Marie; bonus daughters, Kim, Sharon, and Debra; 9 grandchildren: Jeremy, Julie, Christy, Eric, Andrea, Laura, Ryan, Kyle and Hannah; 14 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Carl Schouten; and half brothers, Johnny and Arnold Gibbons.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Doris Gibbons; fathers: Jerry Cary and Paul Schouten; stepfather, Marion Gibbens; Karen Schumaker; grandchildren: Kevin Paul Schaal, Sean Paul Becker and Taylor Malek Sowell; brother, Don Schouten and his wife, Catherine.
A Visitation will be held Monday, January 6, 2025 from 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM, with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM and a Funeral Service at 10AM. All at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora St, Wichita, KS 67212. The Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, in the Garden of Christus, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
As an expression of sympathy, the family has designated donations may be made to: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora St., Wichita, KS 67212, stfranciswichita.com and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org
