Franklin Sun Garrido was born from the union of his parents, Carlos Sun Garrido and Suzetta Gradnego, on June 29, 1923, in Los Angeles, California.
Frank attended St. Patrick's Elementary School and Compton High School. During his youth, he (along with his wayward friends) made his first attempt at making a mark in history by throwing rocks at folk artist Simon Rodia, while he was building the Watts Towers. Thankfully, he matured by the time he met Pauline Elizabeth Evans and on December 25, 1943, after a two year courtship, they were married. Earlier that same year, during WWII, he proved his maturation by enlisting in the U.S. Army. Strongly affected by the turmoil around him, he did not wait around for the draft. He was deployed to Germany where he served as a tank commander in the all Black 784th Tank Battalion. On March 4. 1915, Frank was wounded in combat while risking his own life to save those of his military brothers. For his act of heroism, he received a Bronze Star Medal. A quote front the Citation for the Bronze Star Medal reads: "When his tank was pinned down by enemy anti-tank fire, Sergeant Garrido, utterly disregarding the safety of his own life, entered a burning building under heavy anti-tank, mortar, and small arms fire to evacuate three wounded men to a place of safety. Sergeant Garrido's intrepidity and devotion to wounded comrades are in accordance with the best military traditions." Over the years, Frank rarely spoke of his military service, except to show the children his eye injury, for which he earned a Purple Heart.
When he returned home from the War he attended Otis Art Institute. His artistic talents produced several paintings, which were exhibited in the Los Angeles County Museum. Frank continued his artistic endeavors throughout his life by painting, sculpting, making pottery and exhibiting a passion for photography. He didn't sell his work but instead gave it away, for money was not his motivation.
He later began a career as a Los Angeles County Marshall. Realizing the value of a college education, he returned to school and eventually graduated from California State University with a Bachelor's degree in English. He retired from Los Angeles County after 25 years of service and became a credentialed teacher. He spent a short time teaching English as a second language and then moved on to a series of other jobs, keeping himself busy during his retirement. This includes many years of volunteering his service in various capacities for Transfiguration Church, serving as a docent at the L.A. County Museum and as the block club captain on Dublin Avenue. In fact, if you ever find yourself driving down Dublin Avenue, the speed bumps are an accomplishment of his block club service.
Frank was also very athletic. He loved the ocean and spent much of his time fishing, swimming, boating and bicycling to the beach. Because of his love for the ocean, he always owned a boat. On weekends the family would ride out so far on the ocean that the shore was barely visible. After retirement. his favorite passtime was puttering around on his beloved thirty-five foot McGregor sailboat in Marina del Rey.
Frank's connection with God was clear throughout his life by his unyielding generosity and dedication to service - a testament to his Catholic upbringing. His life was filled with his love for family, friends and colleagues, service to his community and country and an artistic expression that was unmistakably God-given.
Frank is survived by his wife, Pauline; children, Francesca Elizabeth Garrido, Antonia DeCuir, and Vincent Garrido; son-in-law, Stanley DeCuir; grandchildren Dawn Knight and Christian Shephard: great grandchildren, Patrick Knight, Alana Shephard and Leila Shephard: sister, Pacencia Boyd and several nieces and nephews.
