Richard Joseph Frame's Obituary
Richard Joseph Frame (Joe) was born on February 7, 1927, to John & Sarah Frame in Highland Park, IL and passed away March 18, 2023. He spent 96 years here on earth, and what a mark he made over those 96 years! His family moved to Dexter, MO where Joe was raised and went to high school through the 10th grade. He then hitchhiked from MO to MI where he finished high school while living with his older sister, Mabel, and worked part time in the evenings.
After graduation Joe enlisted in the Navy, shipping out from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA on March 1, 1945. He proudly served his country over the next 2 years completing 15 missions during WWII on the USS Brown. One of those missions involved pulling fellow shipmates (some alive and some not) from the water, after a barrage of torpedoes hit and sunk one of their sister ships, as well as shooting down suicide planes. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1947, he made Tacoma, WA his new home until his death.
In 1950 Joe joined the American Legion and was awarded life membership in 1986 for his many contributions and hard work within the organization. He held all elective offices during his time with American Legion Post #138, including Commander. While running for one of the elective offices he gave out peanuts while campaigning for votes and was tagged with the nickname of “Peanuts” and that name stuck with him through the rest of his time with the American Legion.
Joe took up carpentry after getting out of the Navy and after learning the trade, successfully started his own business, Joe Frame’s Custom Carpentry. He did everything from framing houses, apartments, etc., to finish carpentry, cabinetry, and remodeling. On some of the high-end remodels he even installed gold-plated plumbing fixtures. He did a lot of work for very prominent business owners in Tacoma and nearby areas. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, spending time on and near the water; but most of all he loved spending time with his many friends and family members telling stories, jokes, laughing and just being together with those that he loved. He didn’t leave any stones unturned; he did what he wanted to, when he wanted to. He lived his life to the fullest.
Joe was one of a kind, and all that were blessed to spend time with him, know that you couldn’t be around him without lots of laughter, jokes, and pranks along the way. He always had a smile and a joke or two to brighten your day. I doubt anyone ever spent time around him that they didn’t feel better afterwards, that was the effect he had on people. He was still pranking people right up until the end. During one of his recent vacation trips to Florida to visit with family he secretly dropped a dime in his nephew’s pocket and then took a seat to observe and snicker while his nephew was getting patted down trying to get through security. He was the ultimate jokester!
Joe is survived by 3 siblings: Florence Schatz of Kennewick WA, Ruth Nations of Nixa MO and Betty Townley of Granville OH.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sarah (Oliver) Frame, his wife Nancy, 2 infant children: Richard Joseph and Cynthia Jane and 12 siblings: Mabel Mossman, Charles Frame, Mearl Frame, Ioleene Musgrave, John Frame Jr, Flora Wiegand, William Frame, Mary McDaniel, Delores Nations, Ula Frances Frame, Nora Frame and Calvin Frame.
Joe wanted to have one last celebration, so he made sure he left a special pot of “gold” to cover his life celebration farewell for all his friends & family to enjoy. His only request was that everyone come and enjoy themselves and dress like he would. That last part may not happen as not many people own yellow pants, orange suits or Scottish knickers!
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