Frank Domingo Delgado

Frank D. Delgado was born on February 24, 1942, in Los Angeles, California to Frank Delgado and Dolores Saldivar. In March 1942, Frank received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. He joined, by confirmation, St. Paul Lutheran Church Aurora, Illinois in December 1999.

Frank graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, California in 1960. He completed his collegiate studies at Pepperdine University in California, earning a Bachelor of Science in Management in 1991. During his vocational years, he had many opportunities in varying fields including steel production and the petrochemical industry for Criterion Catalyst.

On May 20, 2000, Frank and Michal Davis Edwards married and have enjoyed 23 years together. In the summer of 2002, Frank and Michal joined Amy, David, and children in Montana to begin the next adventure—Gilgal Farms: a family run business farming free-range chickens, laying hens for eggs, and grass-fed beef. The family devoted years to learning animal husbandry, building relationships through farmers' markets, and integrating into the Mission Valley community.

Frank became a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ronan holding a position as an elder for nearly fifteen years. Active in the larger church community, he served on the Montana District Board of Directors for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod from 2006-2015. Following, he served on the Montana District Mission Board from 2015-2022.

His first job in Montana was for the St. Ignatius School District as a special education paraprofessional and he was later elected to the same school board for one term. In 2006, Frank and Michal acquired Central Chem-Dry and Frank was widely known as the “Chem-Dry carpet cleaning man.” Well-liked by his clients, top notch customer service, professionalism, and quality work were his hallmarks. Frank completed his work with excellence, and he was a man of great integrity in his profession.

Politically active, Frank was a longtime member of the Lake County Pachyderm Club, serving on the Board of Directors and was elected president from 2019-2022. He accepted the position as president of the Montana Federation of Pachyderm Clubs from 2019-2021. In the 2014 state election, he was a Republican candidate for Montana House District 93, always eager to promote positive change for his community.

In his spare time, which he was intentional to prioritize, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. Whether it was with those in Montana, Texas, California, or somewhere in between, Frank was happiest to be called Poppy by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An easy friend, those whom he spent time with each morning at his favorite coffee shop, Dobson Creek, left a marked impact on his life.

Those who knew Frank saw his love of Christ reflected to those around him in the many communities he gave his time and energy. His passions demonstrated a care for others and a yearning for them to know the grace and forgiveness he had received from his heavenly Father. He was unselfish, with a gentle heart, and sought to bring laughter into the lives of his loved ones, even until the end.

On July 18, 2023, at the age of 81, Frank died peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a yearlong battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Michal, his brother Edward Delgado and wife Helen, two daughters and four sons and their families. Frank is also survived by his three children, Mark V. Delgado, Estella Rodriguez and husband Peter, and Elizabeth Delgado Dougherty. He is also survived by stepdaughters Amy Vaughan and husband David, and Rebecca Schany and husband Donald. In this blended family, there are seven grandchildren who with their families call California home. The seven grandchildren he was blessed with through marriage have roots planted across the United States. Among the families are also many great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Rd., Ronan.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation, PO Box 334, Ronan, MT 59864. Or you can go to their website and donate, https://www.flatheadbgc.org/invest.