Bristow Paper
Jan. 30, 2004

Frank Gilreath 1918-2004

Frank Harvey Gilreath died Jan. 27, 2004, in Tulsa. He was 86 years young.

He was born Jan. 3, 1918 near Depew, the son of Thomas S. Gilreath and Cynthia Dickerson Gilreath.

He grew up in the Bristow area and returned here in the early 1970's.

Frank served in the United States Navy for 22 years during both World War II and Korea.

Frank and Theda were married Feb. 7, 1946, and would have been married 58 years next week.

Frank was with the California Bureau of investigation and the Border Patrol in San Diego, and had been a long haul trucker.

He was a member of the Bristow VFW Post 3656 and the D.A.V. and he loved to hunt and fish. He raised Appaloosa horses and was a race car enthusiast. Frank was a stunt car driver and performed a stunt in the Humphrey Bogart movie, "They Drive By Night". He boxed professionally under the name "Kid Frank".

Mr. Gilreath is survived by his wife Theda of the home; one son Phillip Gilreath and wife Irene of Virginia Beach Va,; two daughters, Fran Aguilera, and Joyce Bowen and husband Mike, all of Bristow.

One brother, Carmen Gilreath and wife Debbie of Skiatook; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends also survive him.

Three brothers, eight sisters, and a great-granddaughter, Marie Dunn, preceded Mr. Gilreath in death.

Graveside services are at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 30 (today) at Magnolia Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Gene Jackson, Pastor, First Free Will Baptist Church officiating. Services are under the direction of Schumacher Funeral Home of Bristow.

Note: correct spelling of middle name is Harvy

Magnolia Memorial Gardens, Bristow, Creek County, Oklahoma