Frank Henry Machado

Frank Machado

Frank was born 3/2/1926 to immigrant parents from Azores Portugal by a mid-wife in the family home. He was raised on the family ranch in Big Springs Community near Yerka calif.  In 1930 the whole family took a trip the Azores and the entire family contracted scarlet fever.  He lost a 2-year-old sister and by the time they returned Frank had to learn English all over again.  He said he thought he had a hard childhood because he had daily chores and worked when his classmates were having fun.  Later in life he realized that he had the best childhood any kid could wish for and just didn’t appreciate it back then.

On his 17 birthday a recruiter came to his high school, and he started the process of enlisting in the United States Navy and was finally able to join June 16th, 1943. He passed his basic training at Treasure Island.  From there, Frank was sent to Hueneme Naval Base.  He trained and then left on a Liberty Ship, to his next stop Hawaii. Frank turned 18 half thru this journey.  After more training, he went to Sipan and then on to Tinian Island, later named the forward operating base where he served 19 months. He was present when Fat Man arrived and later loaded onto the Enola Gay.

After he returned home, he met and married Linda and they spent 49 wonderful years together.  They had two daughters.  Kristie and Sandra.

Frank owned a chainsaw shop and logging outfit, when they first married and later moved south, where he eventually got a job as a Vereran Service Officer for Stanislaus County, and later became head of the Veteran office and served a total of 27 years with county.  He also joined the Navy Reserves and retired after 20 years.  During these years, he became very active in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.   In the American Legion, he wore many hats and served as the State Commander of California 1986-1987.

But Frank couldn’t sit still, so he tried truck driving for awhile (which he loved) and later took a job as the Veterans Service officer for Lake County.

Frank got very interested in motorcycles and was racing when he married Linda.  He quit racing when they started their family and later, he got reinterested when his oldest daughter Kristie, started dating a racer, and he continued to race until his passion turned to fishing.  Linda told him to make a choice in toys and fishing won out.  Frank was very proud of his boats and went fishing as often as he could until he sold his boat just last year. That boat was named the Krisandra III.  Each boat got bigger as his love for fishing got bigger.  (We think the fish stories got bigger too)

A few of the other hats Frank wore,

He helped to establish the Modesto Funeral Detail in 1979 and was a member of that detail when he passed away.

He was active for many years with the Sea Cadets, with the American Legion he was a part of the detail that put the flags out on Memorial Weekend, and after was a speaker at the Memorial Day Celebrations.  He helped lead the Parade every 4th of July and participated in the retiring of the flag ceremonies just before the fire works display.  He worked at the American Legion hamburger booth every year at the Stanislaus County Fair and worked cooking omelets at almost all their omelet breakfasts every Sunday.

He is preceded in death by both his parents and his older brother Tony, his wife, Linda.

He is survived by his two daughters, Kristie (David) and Sandra (William) Grand Children, Clinton, Ryan, Danny, Katie and Christopher Great Grand Children, Megan, Makayla, Braden, Madison and Spencer, and one Brother Louie Machado and sister Mary Louise DeAvilla.   And many nieces, nephews and friends.

Military Honors will be held at the cemetery 1:30 p.m. Sharp for 2:00 pm procession 

Family is requesting any donations can be made to the Modesto Veterans Funeral Detail. or community Hospice in Dad's name. 

https://www.stancounty.com/vets/

https://hospiceheart.org/