Edwin Forrest "Frank" Law, Topeka, passed away at the exceptionally good age of 76, on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, at a Topeka hospital.
He was born on May 23, 1935, at Whiting, the son of Hugh and Floreine Cochren Law, and the little brother of Bud Law. He grew up in and around Holton and then moved to Circleville when he was ten to live with his grandparents, Ernest and Jennie Cochren. He graduated from Circleville High School in 1953 and attended Chillicothe Missouri Business College. He then began his career with the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a telegrapher.
Frank met Gladys Krogman in 1955 at the Taystee Freeze in Holton, where she was employed by Hugh Law. She refused to give him free Coca-Colas, so he asked her out. They were married on July 27, 1957, at Topeka.
He joined the US Army in Sept. of 1957. He and Gladys traveled in the military. Their favorite location was Nurnberg, Germany, where Frank was stationed for 13 months. Upon returning to the United States, Frank went to work for IBM as a Customer Engineer. He retired from IBM in 1988, then joined Eastman Kodak. He officially retired in 1995, so he and Gladys could travel and play and go "junking" for antiques. Frank collected antique toys, and he loved to restore antique clocks. He was an accomplished carpenter and enjoyed making stained glass windows and lamps. He loved history and music.
Frank and Gladys have two children and three grandkids: Mark and his wife, Donna, and their children Brady and Hannah; Carrie and her son, Ian, all of Topeka. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law and 16 nieces and nephews. Frank was a devoted Dad and Papa who loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren, whether it was taking them camping at Roaring River, spending time in his woodshop, or teaching them how to play ball. He was a great teacher of life lessons and he was always there for us when we needed him.
Frank joined Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in 1972, where he served as Chairman of the Trustees and on many other committees. He was a good man, and he loved the Lord. Frank was a member of the Sunrise Optimist Club and named to its Hall of Fame. He relished friends and fellowship, and he had a knack for always telling a good story over a hot cup of coffee. He will be sorely missed by his family, his church family, and his friends.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, 5919 NW Glenwood Dr., Topeka. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Holton Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Hill UMC and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, PO Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.