Frank F. Kretek, Jr., 93, was called to Heaven on April 4, 2017, surrounded by family, friends and caregivers at his home in El Paso.

Frank was born March 23, 1924 in Deming to Bessie M. Klecka and Frank F. Kretek Sr. and he graduated from Deming HS in 1941. He voluntarily joined the Army Air Services and served from Dec. 11, 1942 until Feb. 19, 1946 and then attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, graduating in 1950. He then spent 35 years working at El Paso Natural Gas Company and a number of years working at the Sunland Park race track. Time with family and friends, golf, sports, his roses and ranch, attending the Fair and the Deming Duck Races, helping to make klobase for the Holy Family Klobase Dinner were what gave Frank great joy as well as his involvement with the Boy Scouts. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Deming and a Eucharistic Minister at his Parish.

The family wishes to thank Gloria Chacon, Gabriela Crews and Sandra Boyd for their loving care, those special friends who visited and shared life with him, and the Visiting Angels, Outreach and Hospice of El Paso for their compassionate care during the last months of his life.

He is survived by his son Charles 'Chuck' Kretek, and his sons Nicolas King-Kretek and Dominic King; and his daughter Carol (Kretek) Lynch, her husband John Lynch and their daughters Avery and Hayden; his sisters, Gertrude and Geraldine Kretek; Leonard's stepson, Chris Robinson and wife Mary; and Frank's sister-in-law, Sister Carol Nicklas, SNJM, Margo's sister.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Margaret 'Margo' (Nicklas) Kretek; his parents, Frank and Bessie Kretek; and brothers Edward and Leonard Kretek.

Visitation will begin Monday afternoon April 10, 2017 at 5 o'clock at Holy Family Church, where a prayer vigil will begin at 6 o'clock led by Suzanne Lundy. Frank 's life will be celebrated at a Mass of the Christian Burial at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning at Holy Family Church. Concluding services and interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with Father Ronald Machado, Pastor officiating.

Pallbearers are Jerry Prewitt, John March, Wade Worrell, Chris Robinson, John Lynch, and Steve Malachowski. Honorary pallbearers are Fletcher Shanty Bowman, Bob Kadel, Mike Peterson, Gary Bales, Mark Terry, Steve Vines, Jim Meyers, and John Devery.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at Queen of Peace Church in El Paso at a later date.