Frank Joseph Crooks

Born on September 22, 1954 in Long Beach, CA, Frank was the youngest of four children of John and Marylou Crooks. Frank lived in various places in Southern California while growing up - from Long Beach to Little Rock.
At the age of 17, Frank joined the U.S. Navy towards the closing of the Vietnam War in 1972. He left the US Navy in 1975 to only return for a second term from 1980 to 1983.
During his civilian life in the 1970's and 1980's, Frank did various things - worked with his brother as a Commercial Fisherman and with his father in the Jewelry business. Golf has been an important part of Frank's life. Aspiring to be a Golf Professional during this time, he also attended the Golf Academy in San Diego. After graduation, he worked as a Golf Pro in various Country Clubs in the Sacramento area. For the most part, Frank was living a care-free single life until 1992.
Frank eventually quit the "golf business" and while working with the US Small Business Administration – Disaster Unit in September 1992, he met and fell in love with Zorina del Rosario, an SBA Loan Officer, while both were working in Guam. In a "whirlwind" courtship, Frank had an instant family when he married Zorina, who had an 18 month old son named Jeremy (he would later adopt), on February 13, 1993.
His family soon grew when his daughter, Noelle, was born on December 22, 1993.
After a few years of both Frank and Zorina working, it was evident that the quality and the costs of daycare to have both Jeremy and Noelle looked after was not worth it. Assessing each other's career paths, Frank elected to be a "stay-at-home" dad.
This was truly his calling – the raising of his kids and being the support system at home. He was the parent that volunteered to chaperone on Field Trips, attended Parent-Teacher conferences and PTA Meetings, and the Cheer Dad – hauling the mats when Noelle's Cheer practice was done. He was the father and husband who prepared the meals and did the laundry – while still taking care of the maintenance of the cars and taking the trash out.
Frank's greatest pride in his life was his two kids, Jeremy and Noelle. In the last few years, he marveled about his kids as young adults and the opportunities given to them and their accomplishments.
In June 2014, Frank was diagnosed with end stage liver disease. The disease progressed quickly. In the last week of his life, he was asked, "Are you scared?" He replied, "I am preparing to take a trip. On this trip, at my final destination – I will get to see my parents and grandparents. So…no, honey, I'm not scared. I'm ready." He was then asked, "Are you excited to see God?" He smiled and trying to be funny replied, "I don't know if I will see God…I mean, he is a busy guy, honey." He knew he will see Him.
Surrounded by his wife, kids and other family members at his bedside, Frank passed away on November 22, 2014 – he had reached his final destination – Heaven.