Marion Frank Barrick
A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Marion "Frank" Barrick unexpectedly went home to be with our Lord on Sunday, January 15, 2012, having completed his extraordinary life of 83 years here on earth. Frank was born on March 26, 1928 in Muskogee, OK. He was the beloved son of the late Marion Frank and Scottie May Barrick, also preceded in death by his brother, David Barrick and half-brother Burton Hargis. Frank cherished his childhood and his Cherokee heritage spending much of his time in Gore, OK, with his grandparents, Papa Jig and Granny Barrick (George and Emmaline Hair). Upon graduating from Muskogee High School, he proudly served our great country in both the Navy and the Air Force, taking him as far away as China.
In February of 1951, upon returning to the States, Frank was sitting in an ice cream parlor in Warrenton, Oregon when, unbeknownst to him, the love of his life walked in and went straight to the juke box. That was all she wrote. On November 9, 1951, Frank and Helan were united in marriage and began a 60 year journey together. That journey brought them back to Tulsa in 1953 where Frank found employment in the warehouse of the Earl M. Jorgensen Steel Company. His incredibly strong work ethic earned him many promotions and eventually, in 1979, he was honored to accept the promotion of being the "top dog" at the Earl M. Jorgensen Steel Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The next 7 years as the General Manager were spent in the lovely town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and after 33 years with the company, Frank was blessed with being able to retire at the young age of 58. Following his dream to be back in "God's Country", Frank and Helan returned to Tulsa to be near family and his revered Farm. Over the years, Frank and Helan enjoyed many friendships through various activities such as the Tulsa Young Men's Club, bridge club, square dancing and extensive traveling to England, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Australia and Japan, as well as many family vacations to the Northwest and New England. Frank's first love is and always will be his family, but he enjoyed his many hobbies including hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking and attending his grandkids sporting events. Frank was committed to regularly giving blood to the American Red Cross, ultimately donating multiple gallons of his A positive blood. He was a lifelong member of Ducks Unlimited, the Blue Thumb Association, as well as being a 17 year active Master Gardener. Frank's family and his farm were his "life." He never met a stranger and his stories, jokes and laughter were the highlight of every family gathering. He was our rock and he will be greatly missed and always loved. Frank is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Helan Addie Barrick, their six children, son Frank and wife Alison Barrick of Brandon, FL, son John and his late wife Dana Barrick of Tulsa, daughter Teresa Tallarico and her ex-husband and dear friend, Steven Tallarico of Marshfield, MA, daughter Lisa and husband Mark DiRico of Norwell, MA, son David and wife Dawn Barrick of Tulsa and daughter Sandi and husband Dr. Greg DiSalvatore, of Tulsa. 13 grandchildren ... Dr. Brett Barrick and wife Whitney of Syracuse, NY, Elena Eddings and husband Darrell of Tulsa, Lora Barrick of Dallas. Chelsea and Taj Tallarico of Marshfield, MA, Deider, Danna and Dominique Barrick of Tulsa, India and Vann Wilkerson and Ella, Shay and Carly DiSalvatore all of Tulsa. While composing our father's obituary, we came across a sealed card in his desk, addressed to our mother, Helan. As testament of his kind and loving ways, we share with you what he wrote to her …Across the years I will walk with you in the deep forests; on shores of sand and when our time on earth is through, in heaven, too, you will have my hand. Love, Frank.
A funeral service will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, January 21, 2012 at

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Cha