Frank Boyd Kady Sr.'s Obituary
Our beloved Dad, Frank Boyd Kady, Sr., passed away at Saint Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the age of 97.
Frank was born on June 27, 1927, in Tacoma, Washington, to parents Peter and Birdie Kady. His siblings, who preceded him in death, were Vivian, Patricia, Darlene, and Donald.
He married his sweetheart, Imogene (Jean) Buchanan, on March 14, 1953, remaining happily married for 70 years until her passing on July 5, 2023. His three sons and their spouses survive him: Frank Jr. and Martha, Ken and Heidi, and Mike and Joan, as well as five grandchildren (one of whom is deceased) and eleven great-grandchildren.
Since his teenage years, Dad loved fishing. He would often recount the times he fished at the Tacoma docks with his friend, Buzz. He remained an avid fisherman who took his sons and family fishing to Commencement Bay, Point Defiance, and other locations such as the Deschutes River, the Nisqually River, and Skate Creek. He was later awarded the Silver Salmon Award for his support in the North Kitsap Salmon Chapter.
He was a World War II veteran who enlisted in the Navy in 1945, one week after the end of World War II. He signed up for the US Naval Submarine Service for an eight-year commitment and remained in the naval reserves as a cook for seventeen years.
He worked as a baker in Tacoma for twelve years before joining the United States Postal Service as a substitute worker for the Railway Mail Service. About a year later, he was employed in the airmail department at SeaTac Airport for ten years. Other postal duties in his postal career included working as a mail carrier in Tacoma, WA, until 1977. His final post office position took him to Kingston, Washington, where he served as postmaster until his full retirement on January 1, 1985.
He loved to collect stamps and coins and play his Fender Mustang Guitar. His 1955 Ford Crown Victoria—purple and white with a glass roof—was, perhaps, his favorite car.
Frank was also confident in his carpentry skills. He built two small boats, which he used for fishing. Later, he built a family room addition to their first home in Tacoma. Later, Dad built a house on the second half of his five-acre property in Kingston.
Dad’s favorite memories included the purchase of his first home in Tacoma in November 1953 for $9,900. He enjoyed taking his sons and wife fishing, camping, and to the stock car races at Spanaway Speedway. He would never forget his visit to Hawaii with Mom for their 45th wedding anniversary, where they enjoyed snorkeling and a Don Ho concert. Two of Don Ho’s songs, “Tiny Bubbles” and “This is the Moment,” were sung as favorites. Later in life, using their Tioga RV, Mom and Dad treasured the Washington State International Kite Festival in Long Beach, Washington, as one of their favorite RV outings.
Dad loved to play the guitar. He was a singer of Western music, having formed the Ohop Valley Boys band. He performed solo as the “Country Traveler” for several years, volunteering his time in various venues, including the Martha and Mary Nursing Home in Poulsbo, the Kingston Cove Yacht Club, and the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, among others.
A graveside service honoring our Dad’s life is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
What’s your fondest memory of Frank?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frank?
Share a story where Frank's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frank you’ll never forget.
How did Frank make you smile?