Kenneth Lowell Frakes, of Tulsa, died on June 18, 2015. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Frances 'Scotty' Frakes, of the home; a son, Lee Frakes and his wife, Suguna; daughter, Jackie Reese and her husband, Randy; brother, Ron Frakes; and grandchildren, Beau Wilson, Shane Cohen, Zach Cohen, Mason Frakes and Navin Frakes. Ken delighted in his family and loved to host big gatherings. Ken was born on October 20, 1943, in Duncan, Oklahoma to Lela Edith and James Kenneth Frakes. His father's petroleum geological work took the family to places that sparked Ken's lifelong curiosity about the natural world. Ken loved the outdoors and nature, which says much about his character. Ken was the first and only two-year drum major for Tulsa's Nathan Hale High School Marching Band. His love and knowledge of music lasted a lifetime. Ken's degree in Journalism from the University of Tulsa was hard-earned while he worked full time. He was a writer to his soul as cub reporter and obituary writer at the Tulsa World, with a stint as the Action Line expert. Ken worked in TU's communications department, he wrote and edited much of their printed material from capabilities brochures to annual reports. He briefly managed the sales department at Allied Printers, then was a writer and editor of magazines and books for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG). Ken spent ten years as a writer and editor for the National Association of Legal Assistants. Ken liked to go fast. Motorcycles or his beloved Nissan Z car, he brought to each his analytic pragmatism and pure joy of competition. He was often president and/or race or rally organizer of the groups to which he belonged. Ken was a loyal friend up for a challenge when he drove a dirt-track stock car for a few weeks to help out a racer buddy whose leg was broken. Ken was also one of the best pinball players this town has ever seen. For many years Ken enjoyed organizing 'Memorial Day Flotilla' weekends of canoeing and camping for friends and family. Be it flooding or drought or locked cars or snake bite, he was always up for the challenge. Ken was a world-class raconteur, spinning involved tales while juggling some of the longest jokes known to man. He was witty and urbane and in his element when he was solving the world's problems over a beer. Ken was a fatalist and a realist, but he spiced it with humor and insight. There was no 'poor me' in him he was always his own man' and did not suffer fools gladly. An intellectual and fact seeker, if he did not know something he would say so. Most often he did know and he happily shared it. Ken loved dogs, and all animals. He was fastidious and tidy and had a garage floor clean enough that you could eat on it. He would try to hide his tender heart and sentimental soul under a curmudgeon's gruffness, but they always shone through like beacons. An open house will be Saturday, June 27, 4:00 - 8:00 PM to honor and remember Ken. Final arrangements are by the Cremation Society of Oklahoma. Service: 06/27/2015 00:00 4:00 - 8:00 pm Family Home