Frank J. Hefler was born on March 19, 1933 at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California to Frank G. and Albertina Hefler, and grew up in Highland Park, California with one sister, Lyndon. He was raised to be caring and friendly, and he couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. While growing up, his best friend was John Darby. Later in life, he became friends with Bert and Verne Trerise. Frank graduated from Franklin High School in Los Angeles in 1951, and during his time he enjoyed being on the sound crew. During his senior year of high school, Frank joined the Army National Guard.
Frank started active service with the Army National Guard on September 1, 1950 and was on active duty in the frontline in Korea from January to June 1952. He received several awards including an Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and a United Nations Service Medal. After returning home, he attended LA Polytechnic College. He wanted to earn an AA so that he could work for the LAPD, which he managed to do even without his degree. His primary occupation was in communications, and he was employed for the LAPD and later the City of LA for over 30 years. When dealing with various projects and problems, Frank was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses. Frank's talent for being a down to earth thinker allowed many around him to see Frank as an excellent problem solver.
On September 4, 1955, Frank exchanged wedding vows with his first wife, Ina Baunbeck Miller at the Danish Lutheran Church of Los Angeles. Together, they had a daughter, Susan; and two sons, Eric and Scott. Frank later went on to marry his second wife, Gabriela Pedraza Amortegui on June 25, 1987 at Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills. This marriage brought him with two stepchildren, Randolph and Kathy. He was also blessed with five grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Frank had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. He loved sharing his life and having his home filled with the love of his family.
Frank was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. As a young family, they had a dog, Ginger, from puppyhood until she passed in the late 70s. After that, they kept a succession of pet cats, and a German Shepherd, Max, for a time in Las Vegas.
When it came to leisure time, Frank made himself a hobby of fiddling with and repairing all types of communication devices and electronics. He was also something of a sports fan for big events like the New Year’s Day Bowl Games and the Super Bowl. Travel was a big part of Frank’s life, too. While he was never much of a planner – he usually relied on his mother, wife, and the Army to tell him what to do – he was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. Favorite vacations included Denmark, Hawaii, London, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Columbia.
Frank believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in the late 80s, Frank took it in stride as one more way to have fun. His new life involved relocating to Simi Valley, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and then Las Vegas, Nevada. In retirement, he found new pleasure in attending church and bible study at Shadow Hills Baptist Church and becoming a member of a local Ham Radio Club.
Frank passed away on July 29, 2020 at Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by his children, Sue, Eric, and Scott; his step-children, Randolph and Kathy; all of his grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchild; and his sister, Lyndon Trerise. Services were held at Palm Southwest Mortuary in Las Vegas. Frank was laid to rest at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.
Frank brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body and willingly shared his joy with anyone whose life he touched. Frank J. Hefler lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.
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