Frank Anton DuFrain

Frank Anton DuFrain was born in Alexandria, Scotland, the home land of his mother, near the banks of Loch Lomond, to Frank T. DuFrain, USN and Margaret E. DuFrain, nee O'Donnell of Helensburgh, Scotland. A British and American citizen at birth, he entered the U.S. in 1975. He received his primary, secondary and high school education in Ventura and Tehama counties, California and Dunbartonshire, Scotland, where he was also a member of the Royal Navy Sea Cadets. Frank entered into ranching and rodeo life at the young age of 14 with the Growney Ranch & Rodeo Co. Red Bluff, CA. He lived with John Growney from the age of 14 until present. In high school he rode steers, bucking horses, (few bull on the side, thank goodness) until he decided to help John with steers, bulls, horses and also learned many husbandry skills which helped to expand his knowledge in this field, to become a competent cowboy. He also rode steers, bucking horses and bulls. He eventually settled down a continued helping John feed, move and help with rodeos. John was like a second dad to Frankie and always will be.

At times he moved to Seattle to be with his Dad and learn what his Dad did. Frank's talents allowed him to develop skills outside of his ranching and rodeo occupation. Four months every summer for seven seasons, Frank served as deck hand with the Seattle Fishing Fleet, operating in southeast Alaska. He was recognized for his hard work ethic and given the duties of power skiff driver. It was during this time that he made a trans-oceanic voyage on a 53 foot tuna trawler from Seattle, Washington to New Zealand via Hawaii and American Samoa. Frank grew, encountered and survived a number of large storms during their Pacific crossing.

An accomplished fabricator and welder, Frank worked with his Father and Step Father, Duane Ballentine, on many steel fabrication projects. He was a member of Boilermaker/Blacksmiths International Union, Local 104 at Foss Maritime Shipyard, Seattle.

In addition to his parents, Frank is survived by his daughters Rylee and Cleo DuFrain; Grandmother, Claudine H. DuFrain; Grand aunt's Joan Martin and Patsy Witt; sister, Nicole H. Green; brother, Shaun D. DuFrain; uncles: Timothy F. DuFrain, William P. DuFrain, Roderick O'Donnell, Dougald O'Donnell, and Stephen O'Donnell; aunts: Susan M. Landeros, Mary M. Bonney, Ann E. DuFrain, and Katherine J. Woolner. Frank is also survived by his many cousins whom he grew up with as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Frank was many things to many different people. He loved deeply and let those whom he cared about know it. He was loved in return and will be missed always.

There will be private family visitation with Frank, from 2pm-4pm followed by a memorial and celebration of Frank's life and a rosary service between 4p.m. - 8p.m. at Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers, Red Bluff, California.

A Catholic mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at Sacred Heart, followed by internment at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff.