Rickey “Rick” Lee Frendle
Passed: January 02, 2020
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Rickey “Rick” Lee Frendle
Passed: January 02, 2020
Obituary
Rickey “Rick” Lee Frendle, 73, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 2, 2020, in Goodyear, AZ, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Rick was born in Wichita, KS, on August 31, 1946, to Daryl and Marguerite (Denner) Frendle. Rick grew up in Wichita with two brothers, Fred and Steve. He was a star athlete who attended Wichita North High School and went on to Friends University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later moved to Albuquerque, NM, where he lived the majority of his life and raised his two children with his loving and adored wife, Julie. He had a 35-year career with Medline Industries, providing hospitals and other health care facilities with medical and surgical products. Rick loved life and lived it to the fullest. He loved his family; being a husband, dad, and grandfather gave him great joy. He was an avid golfer, loved fine wine, and enjoyed traveling the world with Julie. He was best known for his consistently positive attitude, his quick wit, and his ability to make any situation fun. Rick never met a stranger, and everyone who knew Rick loved him. Rick and Julie recently moved from Albuquerque to Goodyear, AZ.
The latter 16 years of his life Rick became known as the ‘miracle man’ because of the determination and success with which he and Julie together battled Multiple Myeloma. Throughout his fight with cancer, he continued to put smiles on the faces around him and always amazed everyone with his continued positivity.
Rick is survived by his wife Julie Wesley Frendle, of Albuquerque, NM, and Goodyear, AZ; daughter Whitney Frendle of Dallas, TX; son Cody Frendle (Monica Unger) and grandchildren Attison and Claira of Denver, CO; brother Steve Frendle of Tampa, FL; and best friend of 50 years, Phil Parker. Rick was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Fred Frendle.
A memorial service will be held at 2:oo pm, Saturday, February 15, 2020, at the Prairie Star Banquet Room, 288 Prairie Star Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, just north of Albuquerque. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made instead to Myeloma Crowd, a Crowdcare Foundation, PO Box 1286, Draper, UT 84020. Unfortunately, the software is designed for fundraising instead of memorials. Comments for the family may also be left here https://give.crowdcare.org/fightforrick.
Condolences for the family may be left below.
17 responses to Rickey “Rick” Lee Frendle
Alicia Chavez says:
January 13, 2020
Julie and Rick’s beautiful children,
I am saddened by the news of Rick’s death but valiant battle with cancer.
As a North High School classmate and many earlier school years, Rick was a great friend.
Be assured of my prayers for your family. You have a great adversary in heaven.
RIP Rick.
Emma Maria & Aldo Vaio says:
January 13, 2020
We were so sad to hear about Rick’s passing. He impressed us all with his courage and positive attitude as he faced one health challenge after another. We will miss everything about him especially his brain power which made him so interesting to be with as he had a real gift to discuss topics without offending anyone. He was so versatile in his interests and wasn’t hesitant to disagree on issues and discussions were truly a learning experience. His love for music, travel and politics made him a choice invite for all occasions. He was genuinely an interesting and joyous fellow—It was easy to love him!
We appreciated all that Julie and Rick did to bring friends and family together. They always opened their home during the year for special occasions, holidays, fund raisers etc. And everyone had fun as they really worked hard on all the details so everyone would have a good time. Thank you for all the happiness and joy you shared with us as a couple. Rick was a gem and he will be missed by everyone!
Patty Brown Tingley says:
January 16, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends
Travis Lowder says:
January 20, 2020
Cody, Whitney, Julie: you are in our hearts. Love to you all. We will carry Rick, as will all of his friends and family, in our memories
Martin gonzales says:
January 27, 2020
Sad to hear the death of my friend, knew Rick while working for Presbyterian hospital, and Heat Hospital of NM. RIP .