Franklin Ephraim Gilstrap was born in Arroyo Grande, CA on Monday, Jan 24, 1916 to Eric Hubert and Ida Ann (Primmer) Gilstrap; Frank married Caroline Braun on Nov 14, 1941; and he died in Selma CA on Monday, Nov 15, 1993. Mr. Gilstrap spent his first few years in Arroyo Grande, and then his family moved to Selma. In 1931 Frank graduated from Roosevelt Elementary and then in 1935 from Selma Union High School. He moved from Selma to Fresno in 1937, and 1935-37 he took electronics classes at Fresno State while selling farm feeds for L. C. Yingst Feed Company. In 1937 he took a position with the San Joaquin Poultry Producers Association, beginning as a Route Salesman. While Frank was at PPA he met Caroline Braun and they married in Nov 1941. In Dec 1941 he joined the U.S. Army to serve in WWII; he was discharged in Nov 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. Frank then returned to work at PPA where he rose to the position of District Manager responsible for all PPA facilities, personnel and $6 million annual budget. Frank left his PPA position in 1951 to engage full-time in his own poultry business, Frank's Egg Ranch. Frank began with an initial flock of 600 laying hens producing 75 cases of eggs/week and by 1957 he had grown his business to 72,000 hens producing 600 cases of eggs/week. Frank marketed these eggs in home ranch sales and sales to restaurants and grocery stores in the Central San Joaquin Valley. In 1962, Frank and Caroline sold their poultry business, and Frank began classes at Fresno Technical College, graduating in 1964 with a degree in Refrigeration Service. He then started a new business, Frank's Refrigeration Service, which he operated until he retired in 1981. Frank and Caroline raised a family of 2 boys and 3 girls while living in Fresno, and all graduated from Fresno's Roosevelt High School. The family was very active members of the Belmont Christian Church of Fresno. Frank also was very active in the Fresno area Boy Scouts while his 2 sons were growing up, actively supporting both sons in their scouting activities. In late 1976, Frank and Caroline left Fresno, moving to Selma where they joined Selma First Christian Church. Frank was an inspiration to all who knew him, and he loved to repair and remake household and yard equipment; he also was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors, and was always fascinated by history which he spent many hours reading. Throughout his lifetime, he was a natural leader and actively participated in all activities. However, in 1987 Frank's health began to fail and he eventually dealt with congestive heart failure, glaucoma, diabetes, loss of hearing, and arthritis. On Nov 15, 1994 Frank's heart finally failed him and he passed away peacefully at the of age 78 years, 9 months and 22 days. Frank was survived by his wife of 53 years, Caroline; by his 5 children; by numerous extended family members; and by many, many friends. All who knew Frank miss his enthusiastic optimism, his tireless energy for life, and his bright smile and welcoming grin.
Franklin Ephraim Gilstrap was born in Arroyo Grande, CA on Monday, Jan 24, 1916 to Eric Hubert and Ida Ann (Primmer) Gilstrap; Frank married Caroline Braun on Nov 14, 1941; and he died in Selma CA on Monday, Nov 15, 1993. Mr. Gilstrap spent his first few years in Arroyo Grande, and then his family moved to Selma. In 1931 Frank graduated from Roosevelt Elementary and then in 1935 from Selma Union High School. He moved from Selma to Fresno in 1937, and 1935-37 he took electronics classes at Fresno State while selling farm feeds for L. C. Yingst Feed Company. In 1937 he took a position with the San Joaquin Poultry Producers Association, beginning as a Route Salesman. While Frank was at PPA he met Caroline Braun and they married in Nov 1941. In Dec 1941 he joined the U.S. Army to serve in WWII; he was discharged in Nov 1945 as a Staff Sergeant. Frank then returned to work at PPA where he rose to the position of District Manager responsible for all PPA facilities, personnel and $6 million annual budget. Frank left his PPA position in 1951 to engage full-time in his own poultry business, Frank's Egg Ranch. Frank began with an initial flock of 600 laying hens producing 75 cases of eggs/week and by 1957 he had grown his business to 72,000 hens producing 600 cases of eggs/week. Frank marketed these eggs in home ranch sales and sales to restaurants and grocery stores in the Central San Joaquin Valley. In 1962, Frank and Caroline sold their poultry business, and Frank began classes at Fresno Technical College, graduating in 1964 with a degree in Refrigeration Service. He then started a new business, Frank's Refrigeration Service, which he operated until he retired in 1981. Frank and Caroline raised a family of 2 boys and 3 girls while living in Fresno, and all graduated from Fresno's Roosevelt High School. The family was very active members of the Belmont Christian Church of Fresno. Frank also was very active in the Fresno area Boy Scouts while his 2 sons were growing up, actively supporting both sons in their scouting activities. In late 1976, Frank and Caroline left Fresno, moving to Selma where they joined Selma First Christian Church. Frank was an inspiration to all who knew him, and he loved to repair and remake household and yard equipment; he also was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors, and was always fascinated by history which he spent many hours reading. Throughout his lifetime, he was a natural leader and actively participated in all activities. However, in 1987 Frank's health began to fail and he eventually dealt with congestive heart failure, glaucoma, diabetes, loss of hearing, and arthritis. On Nov 15, 1994 Frank's heart finally failed him and he passed away peacefully at the of age 78 years, 9 months and 22 days. Frank was survived by his wife of 53 years, Caroline; by his 5 children; by numerous extended family members; and by many, many friends. All who knew Frank miss his enthusiastic optimism, his tireless energy for life, and his bright smile and welcoming grin.
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