John Franklin "Frank" Sober Jr.'s Obituary
Celebrating the Life of John Franklin (Frank) Sober Jr. Frank was born March 30, 1917 as the third of five children born to John Franklin Sober and Jesse Ferol Gilbert in DuBois, PA. At an early age, his family moved to Detroit, MI where he attended Cass Technical High School graduating in 1935 with a HS Diploma and an Associate Degree in Electronics. Following graduation, he worked for his father transporting new automobiles from the manufactures in Detroit to Oklahoma dealerships in the Tulsa area. It was when delivering cars to Sapulpa, OK that he met his wife to be, Bernice Lucille Patrick. They were married January 6, 1940 in Sapulpa, OK and celebrated 72 years of marriage prior to Bernice’s death in 2011. In 1941, Frank went to work for IBM’s Data Processing Division as a Customer Engineer in the IBM Branch Office in Tulsa, OK. He soon became a Field Manager and then a National Account Manager and retired in 1981 after 40 years with IBM. Frank and Bernice lived most of their married life in Tulsa where they raised their three sons, John, Bob and Ron. They were members of Asbury United Methodist Church. Frank was also a 32nd degree Mason. In retirement, Frank and Bernice were active in the Eastern Star, serving as Grand Patron and Grand Matron for most of the Tulsa area chapters as well as the State organization. Frank had a passion for fixing things, especially electronic appliances including TV’s and radio’s. He was also an excellent photographer, Master Wood Worker, active HAM radio operator, Model Airplane builder, and loved camping, fishing and outdoor activities with his family. In 2004, he and Bernice moved to Inverness Village in Tulsa. Frank embraced all of his activities with great passion and above all, was a devoted family man. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Bernice, his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers. He is survived by his sons, John and wife Susan, Bob and wife Sandy, Ron and wife Joy, grand children Kristin McPhail, Brantly Sober, Jennifer Gates, Heather Zimmerman, Lacy Kendrick, Adam Sober, Jason Sober Blodgett, and 7 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Cancer Society. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 11, 2014 2:00-8:00 PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home with Funeral Services being held 10:00 AM Monday, May 12, 2014 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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