Franklin Kladzyk

Beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend, Franklin James “Frank” Kladzyk Jr., 72, of El Paso, originally from Bad Axe, Michigan, died January 2nd, 2020 at The Hospitals of Providence Memorial Campus. He passed peacefully with family at his side, surrounded by prayers from loved ones around the world. He and his love Patricia Ortega Kladzyk met in El Paso and married on April 29th, 1995. After living in Michigan initially, they moved to El Paso in 1998, and Frank helped open and manage Global Enterprises Inc. on Luckett Court until his retirement in May of 2018. Frank spent his childhood in the “thumb” of Michigan with his parents Frank Sr. and Marie Kladzyk, younger siblings Pamela, Kathryn, and Thomas, and many pets. From an early age, Frank helped out with family businesses, and developed a strong work ethic and hospitable nature. The Kladzyks first ran the New Parisville Hotel, then operated the East End Hotel in Parisville, and then in 1961 built and operated the Franklin Inn and restaurant in Bad Axe which is still open. Frank was an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in Bad Axe. As a young man, Frank taught himself guitar and piano, beginning a lifelong love of music. He attended high school at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Schools in the suburbs of Detroit, and was an honors student. He continued to be a patron to the school in later life. Frank graduated from the University of Michigan in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in economics and Russian studies. He began playing music professionally in college, first in the band St. Louis Union, and later as a solo artist, and continued to do so into the early 1980s. He wrote and performed hundreds of original compositions, and recorded his songs in Nashville with a host of famed session musicians. He shared the stage with artists including Bruce Springsteen, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tom Waits, and Bob Seger, and performed widely throughout the United States. He ran his own recording imprint in Michigan, Sled Records, and his musicianship influenced his children, some of whom are musicians. For much of Frank’s life, both during and after his musical career, he worked in plastics. He began his plastics career at Action Plastics in Charlotte, Michigan in the late 1970s. He then later worked at Gemini Plastics in Ubly, MI. Following that, he worked with John W. Gillette/Global Enterprises in both Detroit, MI and El Paso, TX, eventually becoming a partner. He worked at Global Enterprises for over 22 years, where he was revered as a kind and respectful colleague. Frank was an athlete and avid sports fan. He excelled at baseball, basketball, and golf; loved swimming, frisbee, and attended MLB spring training in Phoenix annually. He was also keenly interested in the precious metals mining industry and often attended the annual “Silver Summit” in Colorado. After retirement he refocused his energy on perfecting his ceviche recipe and keeping the yard immaculate. Frank will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, wisdom, music, distinctive lexicon (“Woody!”), affinity for complicated road trips, and unconditional love. Frank was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Franklin Kladzyk and sister Kathryn Brown. He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia; adoring children Anna Gabrielle Kladzyk Constantino (Bret), René Grace Kladzyk, Christian Martin Kladzyk, and Adrian Louis Kladzyk; siblings Pamela Kladzyk and Thomas Kladzyk (Jo); and grandchild Marcella Grace Kladzyk Constantino. He is also survived by in-laws Cristina Bernes (Everisto), Armando Ortega (Margarita), and Hector Ortega (Lupita); nieces and nephews Isaac Brown (Helen), Kris Brown, Ben Brown (Rita), Tristan Kladzyk, Ellee Kladzyk, Monica Ortega, Ivan Ortega (Marcela), Alberto Ortega (Laura), Rogelio Ortega (Ixchel), Cinthya Ortega (Oscar), Armando Ortega (Veronica), Hector Ortega (Anisa), Aby Ortega (Miguel), Andres Ortega, Sebastian Ortega, Esteban Ortega; and poodles Gigi and Blas. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home-West. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 930 E. Redd Rd. Interment will follow at Memorial Pines Cemetery in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West, 480 N. Resler Dr. Donations may be made in Frank’s name to Annunciation House, https://annunciationhouse.org/ , the Alzheimer’s Association, https://alz.org/ , or contributions can be made to the family for a remembrance tree through the El Paso Parks and Recreation Remembrance Tree Program. https://www.elpasotexas.gov/parks-and-recreation/parks/remembrance-tree-program