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(May 30, 1947 - Sept. 27, 2017)
Frank Somer died Sept. 27, 2017, at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell. He was 70.
He was born in Wheatland, on Memorial Day, May 30, 1947, while his dad, Del, and sister, Perky, were at the movie. Needless to say, his mom, Evelyn, was not happy with them.
A month after Frank was born, his dad got a job teaching school in Powell. Both of his parents were teachers, and they started Frank’s interest in teaching.
Frank graduated from Powell High School in 1965 and started college at the University of Wyoming that fall with a major in engineering. It didn’t take long for him to realize art was where his real interest was. Frank received his bachelor of arts in 1970. He joined the National Guard in January 1970 and proudly served as company clerk for the Cody unit for six years.
Along the way to his degree, Frank met and married Chris, his wife of 47-plus years. Their children, Chris, Jerry, and Jodi, were the joys of his life. Chris and Frank had their ups and downs, but Jesus has always been with them.
Frank leaves behind Chris, Jerry, Jodi (Jay) and his grandson Jakob and granddaughter Jessi.
His memorial service will be Sunday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. at the Lovell Middle School Commons. During his 31 years teaching at Big Horn School District No. 2, Frank taught his students about color wheels — black was never part of the wheel. “God gave me a wide pallet of colors during my teaching career so my request is that you wear Levis and bright colors to my service. (I also hated to dress up in a suit and tie),” Frank said.
Contributions in Frank’s memory can be made to an art scholarship in his name at Big Horn County School District No. 2, to the youth ministries at his church, New Life of Powell or to the North Big Horn Senior Citizens Center.
His parting wish is for each of you reading this to give a big hug to someone close to you.
