Frank David Werntz

Frank David Werntz passed away on March 24, 2026. He was born in 1930 to Leon Everett Werntz and Catherine Electa (Rice) Werntz in Fort Smith, AR. He was surprised and pleased to attain over 95 years of life. Frank attended public school in Fort Smith, joining the band in elementary school. His primary instrument was Horn. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1948, then attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR where he was a proud member of the marching band, studied accounting, and joined Air Force ROTC. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, Frank entered the Air Force as a second lieutenant stationed in Kinston, NC for pilot training. In August 1952, he married the love of his life, Lucy Ann Gregg. He was briefly stationed in Enid, OK, then reassigned to Atlanta, GA area to train on multi-engine planes. In late 1953, Frank traveled alone to his next assignment in Japan and spent a year overseas. After leaving the Air Force, Frank and Lucy settled in Fort Smith, AR where he initially worked in management at Bennett Furniture Company then later at Hunt’s Department Store. During their time in Fort Smith, they welcomed three daughters to their family: Cathy, Susan, and Rebecca. In 1964, the family moved to Denison, TX, where he worked in management at Madden’s Department Store. While in Denison, they welcomed their son, David, to the family. In 1968, his father-in-law, Robert W. Gregg, opened Gregg’s Department Store in Muskogee, OK and the family moved to Muskogee. Frank worked in management at Gregg’s and Lucy operated the children’s department. Frank transitioned to insurance sales in 1973, then later he worked as an Actuarial Consultant with his brother, Leon, to establish a branch of Werntz & Associates in Muskogee. Frank earned many certifications in pension plan administration, and later established his own company, Frank Werntz & Associates. He continued this career until he retired in his 70s. During his life, he was a member of Rotary Club, and became a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner. Frank was a lifelong Methodist and a member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Muskogee, OK. Frank and Lucy shared almost 69 years of marriage, raising four children. They valued family time, spending holidays together, and taking family vacations. Later in life, Frank and Lucy traveled as a couple before Lucy passed away in 2021. They traveled by car, plane, or cruise ship to visit Hawaii, California, Branson, MO, New York City, Alaska, Maine, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Great Brittian, France, and Russia. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Catherine and Leon Werntz, his brother Leon Erwin Werntz, his sister Anna Marie (Werntz) LaChance, his wife Lucy Ann (Gregg) Werntz, his daughter Rebecca (Werntz) Jackson, and his grandson Joshua Robert Gorton. Frank is survived by his daughter Cathy (Werntz) Anthis and her husband Stan Anthis of Muskogee, OK, daughter Susan Werntz Gorton of Oklahoma City, OK, son-in-law Rick Jackson of Moore, OK, and son David Werntz and his wife Bonnie Robb of Altadena, CA; 6 grandchildren: Sarah Gorton, Laura (Gorton) Thompson and husband Bryan Thompson, Karen (Anthis) Faszold and husband Jeremy Faszold, Kevin Anthis and wife Jessica (Tipton) Anthis, Kristen Anthis, Carla (Anthis) Jon and husband Ethan Jon; 11 great-grandchildren: Xander Brock, Joshua Thompson, Spencer Thompson, Elliot Anthis, Elloise Anthis, Everett Anthis, and Ellaine Anthis, Fredrick Faszold, Priscilla Faszold, Theodore Faszold, and Adelaide Jon. A celebration of Frank’s life will be 10AM, Monday, April 6, 2026 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with Rev. Dylan Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery.

Frank David Werntz

September 1, 1930 - March 24, 2026