Solomon Frank

“A Grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.” Solomon Frank was born on March 8, 1920 in Walla Walla, Washington to John David and Elizabeth Frank, Germans that emigrated from the Volga region of Russia. Sol was one of nine children raised in a home that valued faith, love of family and friends. He lived his life fulfilling each one of those values by being a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.

Sol graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1939 and spent the majority of his life working in the grocery business including both his father’s grocery store “Frank’s Grocery and Market” and the well-known “Melrose Market” on the corner of Melrose and Division streets in Walla Walla.

Sol married Helen Peggy Schiffman on May 31st, 1941 and they had two children, Nancy Dale and Thomas Leonard Frank. For Sol, “Family was considered the circle of strength, founded on faith, joined in love, and kept by God.” Sol honored this belief daily and always lived life to the fullest with a twinkle in his eye and a smile that warmed your heart.

After high school, Sol served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class in April, 1946. Sol and his family returned to Walla Walla where he continued to work as owner of the Melrose Market and became known in the community for his famous family recipe of German “pep sausage.” Later in life, Sol and Helen moved to Redwood City, California where he co-owned a business with his brother-in-law, Dale Schiffman.

Upon retirement, Sol and Helen returned to the Walla Walla Valley in 1984 to be closer to family and friends. Sol was an active member of the College Place Presbyterian Church, Walla Walla Elk’s Lodge, and enjoyed volunteering at Hospice and the Christian Aid Center.

Sol is survived by his son Tom (Paula) Frank of Surprise, Arizona; son-in-law Dean Blize of Walla Walla; one sister, Freda (Tom) Wilhelm of Walla Walla; two brothers, Dave (Clara) Frank of Stallings, North Carolina, and John (Dorothy) Frank of Garden Grove, California; five grandchildren, Peggy (Mike) Needham, Jeff (Jocelyn) Blize, Kristie (Brandon) Waggoner, Corinne (Christian) Watson, John David and Ethan Frank; ten great grandchildren and special friend and companion, Jean Stiller. Sol was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Helen; daughter, Nancy; sisters, Betty, Mollie, Katheryn, and brothers, Carl and Harold Frank.

A special thank you to Dr. Robert Stoddard of Providence SMMC for his compassionate care, Skip Pritchard of College Place Presbyterian Church for always being there for Sol and his family, Hospice and Park Manor Rehabilitation Center.

A celebration of life will be held at the College Place Presbyterian Church on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 12:00 noon followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Memorial donations in memory of Sol may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice, the Christian Aid Center or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. .