Our beloved “Poppi”, Frankie Lee Piper (Frank), passed away at his home in Bakersfield, California on July 29, 2024.

Frank was born on November 14, 1934, to Amos and Sybil Piper, in Hochatown, Oklahoma and spent his first few years there until early in the second grade, when he began a somewhat nomadic life traveling with his father, Amos, and some of his extended family as this merry band traveled around the US working as carpenters and other tradesmen in the post war era. Between the 2nd and 5th grade alone, Frank attended a total of 13 different schools in 11 cities and 6 states!

Despite the circumstances, Frank excelled in school. After settling in Porterville, CA, he finished the 6th through 12th grades, completing high school in 3 ½  years and completing ½  year of College before his High School Graduation took place. He would occasionally recount how he was proudly kicked out of the carpentry class at Porterville High because he already knew more about the trade than the instructor.

He began work as a union carpenter shortly after Graduation in 1952, which eventually led to his working with and befriending the man who would one day be his business partner, Charles (Chuck) DeVries. In 1959, Frank & Chuck started their Partnership with the formation of Omega Construction, which became a well-respected General Contractor in Bakersfield, CA, and from which Chuck retired in 1983 and Frank retired in 2012.

He married Patty Duggan (deceased), of Porterville, CA, in 1955 and they soon had their first son, Gregory Lee in 1957, followed by Edward Blain (Tedd) in 1959 and Jeffrey Sean in 1964.

Frank is survived by his wife Patricia (Patt) Mack (Tovar) having married in 1987. They were blessed with over 40 years of happily living together and raising their mutual children and grandchildren. The family enjoyed numerous adventures, including many trips to their vacation homes that Frank had built in Camp Nelson, CA and Strawberry, CA, their houseboat at Lake Don Pedro, CA as well as many great events at their beautiful home in Bakersfield, including their own wedding, that of their son Clayton to Sylvia and so many more celebrations.

Frank and Patt spent the latter part of their retirement years at their home at the River Island Country Club in Springville, CA, before recently returning to Bakersfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Sybil; his siblings, Freddie and Jerry; and his sons, Greg and Jeff,

Survivors include his loving wife, Patt; sons and daughters-in-law, Tedd & Suzi Piper, Clayton & Sylvia Mack and Chris & Lauren Mack, daughters, Storey-Ellen Mack and Sallie Mack, grandchildren, Jory Piper, Ruby Piper, Aimee Frank, Tricia Frank, Madison Frank, Emily (Mack) Rodriguez, Henry Mack, William Mack, Charles Mack, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Frank will be laid to rest next to his mother at Hochatown Cemetery, Hochatown, Oklahoma, on September 18, 2024, at 10:00 am.

A Celebration of his life will be held at Salty’s Banquet Hall, 6720 Schirra Court, Bakersfield, CA, on October 5, 2024, from noon to 4:00 pm.