VULK, Frank ca.1917-2009

VULK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/27/2009 at 17:46:57

Frank Vulk

Vulk, Frank, 92 years old, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 18, 2009. A memorial service was held 7 p.m. Wednesday at New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6415 Irongate Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23234.

He was born in Osage, Iowa, known for its maple trees; one of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Vulk, Sr. He attended the Osage community schools and helped his father on the farm until he was 18 years of age when he voluntarily joined the U.S. Navy.

He was accepted on March 17, 1936 at Des Moines, Iowa. His recruit training was at Great Lakes, Illinois. After boot camp, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Wright, an aircraft tender. Shortly after reporting, he volunteered for duty with the Asiatic Fleet based in the Philippine Islands and transferred to the U.S.S. Barker 213. He stayed with the Asiatic Fleet for approximately four and a half years. He served during World War II and the Korean War. He returned to the United States in 1942 and retired in May of 1958 with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4, having served 22 years. After leaving the service, he skippered a yacht in San Diego, California. Later, he joined the San Diego Unified School District as a custodian. He left the school district as a head custodian of the large school and moved to Hurst, Texas to join his son-in-law in the metrology business.

After some years, he and his wife moved back to Osage, Iowa where he loved to fish, garden and wood craft. In 1987 he and his wife moved to Richmond, Virginia to be with their daughters, Cheryl and Marilyn. He was committed to his family and friends, always offering a helping hand, his country and his church.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Dorothy Ruth; his daughters, Sandra King, Cheryl Langford and Marilyn Mays; his grandchildren, Kim Rayburn (deceased), Scot Crawford, Bryan Mays and Tyler King.

[Mitchell County Press online, Oct. 27, 2009]