Frank Stair was born in 1932 to Charles Byron Stair and Grace (Reynolds) Stair. Suggested place of birth was in Emporia KS, according to the US Census for his parents in 1930.
Frank was the 10th child for Grace, and the 4th child for Charles. Altogether, Frank had 4 full blood siblings and 6 step-siblings.
Frank grew up in Lyon County KS, mostly in Emporia. When he was a teenager, he met Anabel Ruth Baldwin. They married on May 26, 1951. Together they had 4 children: Donald Frank (10-14-1951), Patricia Sue (6-01-1954), Kenneth Leon (7-25-1959) and Michael Duane (3-6-1964).
After their marriage, Frank and Ann moved to El Cajon, CA, where he served in the US Navy. He was stationed in Japan and Okinawa, where he served as a baker. Frank also played music for US Armed Forces Radio while overseas.
Frank worked on foreign cars in both California and in Kansas- once he and Ann moved back. He had a shop named Foreign Car Specialties in Emporia KS. However, this was not his passion. Rather, he had a love for music. He was a self-taught musician, and played any stringed instrument. He was mostly known for his steel guitar playing, however. He played while living in California and also in Emporia.
Stories say he met many famous musicians before they were ever known. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Barbara Mandrell to name a few. Once in Emporia, he and his oldest son Don joined up with a few other musicians and made up a band called the Country Drifters. With them, they played bars and private clubs all over Eastern Kansas, until he got ill and could not play in the smoky environment any longer.
Frank eventually contracted emphysema, which later on took his life. Frank passed away on September 9, 1998, and was buried next to his wife in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia KS. He left behind his four children and a total of 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Frank was the 10th child for Grace, and the 4th child for Charles. Altogether, Frank had 4 full blood siblings and 6 step-siblings.
Frank grew up in Lyon County KS, mostly in Emporia. When he was a teenager, he met Anabel Ruth Baldwin. They married on May 26, 1951. Together they had 4 children: Donald Frank (10-14-1951), Patricia Sue (6-01-1954), Kenneth Leon (7-25-1959) and Michael Duane (3-6-1964).
After their marriage, Frank and Ann moved to El Cajon, CA, where he served in the US Navy. He was stationed in Japan and Okinawa, where he served as a baker. Frank also played music for US Armed Forces Radio while overseas.
Frank worked on foreign cars in both California and in Kansas- once he and Ann moved back. He had a shop named Foreign Car Specialties in Emporia KS. However, this was not his passion. Rather, he had a love for music. He was a self-taught musician, and played any stringed instrument. He was mostly known for his steel guitar playing, however. He played while living in California and also in Emporia.
Stories say he met many famous musicians before they were ever known. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Barbara Mandrell to name a few. Once in Emporia, he and his oldest son Don joined up with a few other musicians and made up a band called the Country Drifters. With them, they played bars and private clubs all over Eastern Kansas, until he got ill and could not play in the smoky environment any longer.
Frank eventually contracted emphysema, which later on took his life. Frank passed away on September 9, 1998, and was buried next to his wife in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia KS. He left behind his four children and a total of 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Frank Stair was born in 1932 to Charles Byron Stair and Grace (Reynolds) Stair. Suggested place of birth was in Emporia KS, according to the US Census for his parents in 1930.
Frank was the 10th child for Grace, and the 4th child for Charles. Altogether, Frank had 4 full blood siblings and 6 step-siblings.
Frank grew up in Lyon County KS, mostly in Emporia. When he was a teenager, he met Anabel Ruth Baldwin. They married on May 26, 1951. Together they had 4 children: Donald Frank (10-14-1951), Patricia Sue (6-01-1954), Kenneth Leon (7-25-1959) and Michael Duane (3-6-1964).
After their marriage, Frank and Ann moved to El Cajon, CA, where he served in the US Navy. He was stationed in Japan and Okinawa, where he served as a baker. Frank also played music for US Armed Forces Radio while overseas.
Frank worked on foreign cars in both California and in Kansas- once he and Ann moved back. He had a shop named Foreign Car Specialties in Emporia KS. However, this was not his passion. Rather, he had a love for music. He was a self-taught musician, and played any stringed instrument. He was mostly known for his steel guitar playing, however. He played while living in California and also in Emporia.
Stories say he met many famous musicians before they were ever known. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Barbara Mandrell to name a few. Once in Emporia, he and his oldest son Don joined up with a few other musicians and made up a band called the Country Drifters. With them, they played bars and private clubs all over Eastern Kansas, until he got ill and could not play in the smoky environment any longer.
Frank eventually contracted emphysema, which later on took his life. Frank passed away on September 9, 1998, and was buried next to his wife in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia KS. He left behind his four children and a total of 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Frank was the 10th child for Grace, and the 4th child for Charles. Altogether, Frank had 4 full blood siblings and 6 step-siblings.
Frank grew up in Lyon County KS, mostly in Emporia. When he was a teenager, he met Anabel Ruth Baldwin. They married on May 26, 1951. Together they had 4 children: Donald Frank (10-14-1951), Patricia Sue (6-01-1954), Kenneth Leon (7-25-1959) and Michael Duane (3-6-1964).
After their marriage, Frank and Ann moved to El Cajon, CA, where he served in the US Navy. He was stationed in Japan and Okinawa, where he served as a baker. Frank also played music for US Armed Forces Radio while overseas.
Frank worked on foreign cars in both California and in Kansas- once he and Ann moved back. He had a shop named Foreign Car Specialties in Emporia KS. However, this was not his passion. Rather, he had a love for music. He was a self-taught musician, and played any stringed instrument. He was mostly known for his steel guitar playing, however. He played while living in California and also in Emporia.
Stories say he met many famous musicians before they were ever known. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Barbara Mandrell to name a few. Once in Emporia, he and his oldest son Don joined up with a few other musicians and made up a band called the Country Drifters. With them, they played bars and private clubs all over Eastern Kansas, until he got ill and could not play in the smoky environment any longer.
Frank eventually contracted emphysema, which later on took his life. Frank passed away on September 9, 1998, and was buried next to his wife in Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia KS. He left behind his four children and a total of 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
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