Chester C. Frankenfeld Jr., 83, passed away April 12, 2018 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas. He was born in Kirk, Colorado to Chester Charles Frankenfeld and Dovie May (Spurling) Frankenfeld on July 10, 1934. He grew up in Stratton, Colorado along many of his cousins.
Upon completion of High School, Chuck enlisted in the Navy and served during the Korean War on the USS Bataan with the duties on the Flight Crew Deck and received an Honorable Discharge.
On January 26, 1957, he was united in marriage to Brenda A. Blain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From this union they had 4 children, Bryan (Chip), Bruce, Camie and John.
Chuck Frankenfeld began a 40-year railroad career working on the Chicago-Rock Island Railroad as a Brakeman and working his way up to Engineer in Goodland, KS. After the Chicago-Rock Island shut down, he continued his career by working for the Sante Fe for a short time before he hired on with the Kyle Railroad Company in Phillipsburg, KS.
He spent the last 14 years working with the Kyle Railroad in Goodland and Phillipsburg. Chuck was an active member in the Kansas Operation Life Saver Program since 1986, he belonged to the American Shortline Railroad Safety Committee since 1989, and represented the short-line industry on the Association of American Railroads Safety Committee since 1991. Chuck Frankenfeld retired June 30, 1996 as a Superintendent of Kyle Railroad and Director of Safety and Compliance for Kyle Railways.
Before beginning his railroad career, he was a master carpenter. He worked on skyscrapers in Denver and also the missile silos on the Front Range corridor in Colorado. As his family grew the first couple of years, Chuck and his father and uncles built their family home on Kansas Street in Goodland.
Upon Chuck’s retirement, Chuck and Brenda returned to Goodland where he served as a County Commissioner for Sherman County from 1998 to 2003. In 2014 they moved back to Phillipsburg.
Chuck loved being involved in his children’s lives and shared his love for sports. One of his fondest memories was coaching baseball with Dan Edwards and their team achieving an undefeated season. One of his favorite hobbies was playing golf and he shared his passion of the games with his wife and kids. Through the years many memories were made playing in different tournaments with each family member. His most memorable tournaments were the Sweet Swinger playing with his sons.
Chuck and Brenda were very active in their children’s lives, but they loved spending time together whether it was swinging around on the dance floor or traveling through the states seeking new adventures.
Chuck was definitely a die-hard Bronco fan. He loved taking his wife, kids and grandkids to the game. It was always a great memory had by all. Whether he was in the stands or at home he was dressed for the occasion in orange and blue to support the Bronco Spirit.
Chuck is preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Frank C. Blain.
Surviving family members are his wife, Brenda of 61 years; his children, Chip and his wife Jenny of Sterling, CO; Bruce of Sterling, CO; Camie Schneider and husband Randy of Phillipsburg, KS; John and his wife Stephanie of Denver, CO; Grandchildren, Mike (Melissa) Frankenfeld; Dustin (Amber) Frankenfeld, Kamie (Damien) Wagner; Chris, Matt and Emily Schneider; Jeff and Ashley Frankenfeld; Great-grand children, Taylor and Connor Frankenfeld; Charli and Morgan Frankenfeld; Krissy, Kaden. Kaylee, Korbin, and Kelton Wagner; sister-in-law, Virginia Blain; nieces, Carla Schmidt and Jeri Ann Blain; cousins, Jeff Eberhart, Jill Eberhart County, Mike O’Halloran; and Donna Frankenfeld.
Memorial Service for Chuck will be Friday, April 20th, 2018, at 2:30 MST at Bateman Funeral Home, 211 East 11th Street in Goodland, with a reception to follow at the VFW.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer Organization, Hospice Services, Remembering Ron Schneider Cancer Memorial or the Phillips County Retirement Center. Online condolences www.batemanfuneral.com
Douglas Eugene “Doug” O’Neal, 84, Hays, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018, at Good Samaritan Society of Hays.
He was born March 27, 1934 in Goodland, KS the son of Herman and Luella (Rawson) O’Neal. Doug accepted the Lord as his savior at the age of 16 and has trusted Him throughout his life. He was a graduate of Edson High School and was active in the FFA while in school. He was a member of and past board member of the Levant Community Church and attended Celebration Community Church in Hays. He worked various jobs through the years such as grocery store clerk and produce manager, as weed director for Thomas County Weed Control for many years, and then as a longtime custodian for the Colby School District #315 until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed traveling around Kansas, collecting postcards and other collectibles, and circle word puzzles. His grandchildren were always the light of his life and he loved seeing and spending time with them. In 2001, he moved to Hays due to health reasons, and to be closer to his children.
Survivors include a son; Paul O’Neal and Kristen (Johnson) of Stanley, ND, a daughter; Pheobe and Jeff Ferland, Hays, KS, three grandchildren; Charlie O’Neal and fiancé Ryan Peterson, Salina, KS, Thea Ferland, Hays, KS, and Jessie McLaren, Moore, OK, and two great grandchildren; Avri and Delila.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Mariam.
A celebration of Doug’s life will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at the Celebration Community Church, 5790 230th Ave., Hays, with Pastor Brant Rice officiating. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in the Freeland Cemetery in rural Sherman County. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Wednesday at the church. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of HaysMed or to Celebration Community Church in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com
Carol J. Burnett, age 78, passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas. She was born on October 20, 1939 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Walter M. & Rose E. Springer Smith. Carol was a lifetime Scott City resident and worked at the Scott City Post Office for over 30 years.
She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas.
On July 25, 1959 she married David C. Burnett in Scott City, Kansas. He passed away on October 16, 2009 in Scott City, Kansas.
Survivors include her One Son – David Mark Burnett of Scott City, Kansas, One Daughter In Law – Nora Burnett of Scott City, Kansas, Two Grandsons – David Alex Burnett of Wichita and Mark Andrew Burnett of Hays, Kansas, One Sister – Cathy J. Smith of Great Bend, Kansas.
Vigil Services will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas at 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2018.
Funeral Services will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2018 with Fr. George Fajardo presiding.
Memorials can be made to the Scott County Hospital in care of Price & Sons Funeral Homes.
Jacob Foster Leatherman, 102 years of age, passed away April 13, 2018 at the Scott County Hospital. He was born November 30, 1915 in Kansas City, MO and was adopted by Fannie and Alpha Leatherman as an infant.
He was a resident of Scott County since 1947, moving from Fredonia, KS. He was a farmer, prior County Assessor, and served on the City Council. He could repair or build almost anything. He loved his family, friends, airplanes and making people smile.
On November 24, 1940, he married Gladys Ilene Nightengale in Fredonia. They were married for 62 years. She preceded him in death on May 18, 2003.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Stephanie Leatherman, two sisters and one brother.
Jake is survived by three sons: Forrest Leatherman, Fort Lupton, CO, Rodney and MaryAnn Leatherman, Scott City, KS, Donald and Amy Leatherman, Garden City, KS, a daughter: Fayetta Summervill, Hutchinson, KS, eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 701 South Main Street, Scott City, KS. Burial will be in Scott County Cemetery.
Visitation will be Monday 2-8 and on Tuesday from 10-8 at Price & Sons Funeral Home of Scott City.
Memorials may be directed to Scott County VIP Center or the Pioneer Krier Museum in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home, Scott City.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
Sometimes you look at a creature and wonder how it evolved. Kangaroos and platypus come to mind, but they’re Australian. The critter I’m most curious about is one frequently seen squashed on Texas and Oklahoma Interstates–the armadillo. Not long ago, I spied an immigrant armadillo flattened on I-70 in Trego County.
Just as African killer bees keep moving north from South America, it appears invading armadillos add to regional highway death tolls. These elliptical fellows must not know about our winters, or they’d keep their hairy little scutes in warmer climates.
Perhaps they should reconsider these migrations since farmers and ranchers love armadillos about as much as they love prairie dogs. Despite their lack of popularity with agricultural folk, these prehistoric beasties won my heart years ago when I discovered their ability to vertically leap six feet from a standing position.
This introduction occurred as I drove down an isolated road late at night. A bizarrely snouted creature supported on a short-legged and long clawed-ovoid body waddled across the road. My first thought was aliens had invaded. A newcomer to Oklahoma, I’d seen armadillos only in magazines. The vision before me compelled me to slow to a crawl.
For lack of definitive gender identification, I’ll call this guy a “he.” Thinking he would hurry across the road as I coasted, I decelerated further. This had a similar effect upon the varmint. Only he stopped like he was stuck in tar. I didn’t want to squash him, so I halted as well.
Thank goodness my brights were on so I got the full effect of his antics. That armadillo leapt straight up–a good foot above the hood of my 66 Plymouth. Headlights reflecting from his eyeballs added an eerie component to his comic jump. With that football-shape and those clawed feet sticking out at right angles, he hovered like a basketball player going for a tough lay up. Once more, aliens crossed my mind.
Under different circumstances that armadillo would have ended up as road kill. Because he surprised me on a county road that permitted me to ogle strange creatures, his jump simply surprised the two of us. No damage occurred and these beasts won a new fan. Had we been on Interstate, this would’ve been messy.
I’ve never seen an armadillo since that doesn’t trigger that memory. Mr. Been- Around-Since-Prehistoric-Times charmed me and began a love affair that lasts today.
Since that first meeting, I’ve collected over 50 armadillo figurines. Strangers spot them in my curio cabinet and ask what I might’ve asked nearly 40 years ago– “What’s that?” —opening the door to share odd facts about this New World trespasser.
Nine-banded armadillos living in the southern United States have unique characteristics that enable it to survive its slow march toward Canada. Besides the obvious physical adaptation of the hair covered shell that protects soft body parts and its jumping talent, armadillos are reproductive marvels.
Like some marsupials, female armadillos are able to delay fertilized egg development until optimum conditions exist. This species almost always bears four same-sex young—identical quadruplets in other words. According to James Michener’s Texas, females determine which gender they’ll bear. I haven’t verified this, but if true, these armored ones possess abilities some would pay millions to share.
Despite ranchers’ opinions about armadillos, I like them. I like anything that scares predators with a leap and a funny face. I like a critter that can select the gender of its offspring and when it delivers them.
I want another chance to watch an armadillo levitate and hover. However, I don’t want to meet on Interstate. I want both parties to survive unscathed.
Native Kansan Karen Madorin is a local writer and retired teacher who loves sharing stories about places, people, critters, plants, food, and history of the High Plains.
The Fort Hays State University Foundation will host its annual Student Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, in the FHSU Robbins Center.
Students who attend the event will be eligible for one of eight different scholarships requiring various degrees of involvement. Students will be entered to win one of five $100 scholarships and one $500 scholarship just for attending. Students will be entered to win another $500 award if they post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag “AwarenessDay.”
A third $500 scholarship will be awarded for students who previously answered an essay prompt. Scholarships, provided by Astra Bank, will be awarded for the fall 2018 semester.
Attendees will also receive a free lunch and learn about the importance of private support and fundraising.
To learn more about the FHSU Foundation, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu.
TOPEKA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after an altercation with a store employee.
Just after 11a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to Target, 2120 SW Wanamaker, Topeka where a loss prevention employee attempted to stop a suspected shoplifter, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.
During the incident, the alleged shoplifter attempted to punch the loss prevention employee and then pulled a knife and ran north with the items he had taken from the store.
A witness kept an eye on the suspect until police arrived. Following a brief foot pursuit, police captured the suspect identified as 29-year-old Casey J. St. John. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Aggravated Robbery and Felony Obstruction, according to Johnson.
The loss prevention employee was not injured during the incident.
Last week was the final week of legislative activity before First Adjournment. Early Sunday morning, the Senate gaveled out for adjournment and will reconvene on April 26th or Veto Session. The Senate voted on numerous conference committee reports, a tax reform bill, and a school finance plan. A conference committee is a small, bipartisan, and bicameral committee that works to smooth out the differences between the House and Senate’s version of a similar bill. Once the conference committee reaches a compromise, the negotiated bill is sent to both the House and Senate for a final vote before advancing to the governor’s desk. When the Senate gavels in on April 26th, we will begin Veto Session and will wrap up any legislative loose ends for the year.
SCHOOL FINANCE
In the early hours of Sunday morning and after a night of debate, the Senate voted to concur on a school finance plan that the House sent over earlier that day. On Saturday morning, the House narrowly passed a school finance deal on a vote of 63-56. The House placed their original K-12 finance plan into a Senate bill and passed it to the Senate to either concur or non-concur on the deal. The House’s plan would add $500 million to public school funding over the next five years. The funding plan almost doubles the cost of the Senate’s proposed plan that passed earlier that week. The Senate voted 21-19 to concur, sending it to Governor Colyer’s desk for him to sign. As this article was going to press, it was discovered that a calculation error was made in the bill – watch for a trailer bill to be debated before the entire education package can be turned over to the Attorney General (after the Governor’s signature) for the ruling of the Supreme Court case.
FLOOR ACTION
SENATE SCHOOL FINANCE PLAN: Substitute Senate Bill 423 amends the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act by making appropriations to the Department of Education relating to school finance. Sub SB 423 would phase in a $275 million increase to education funding.
Some major policy provisions included in SB 423 are:
Base aid for student excellence will increase from $4,006 to $4,258 in 2018-19, to $4,334 in 2019-20, to $4,412 in 2020-21, to $4,492 in 2021-22, and to $4,574 in 2022-23.
Increase special education funding by $24 million in 2018-2019.
Expand early childhood funding by increasing state aid for three- and four-year-old at-risk children by $3,000,000.
Allow all students the opportunity to participate in ACT and ACT Work Keys funded by the state.
Add $1,760,000 for ABC Early Childhood Program.
Provide a pilot program for improvement of mental health services for school districts.
Provides that all high school students may take a college class in Comp I at no cost to the student.
KANSAS TAX REFORM
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2228 amends current law allowing Kansans to receive the anticipated state windfall from federal tax reform. The bill increases the state’s standard income tax deduction and allows Kansans to itemize deductions for state income taxes if they don’t itemize deductions for federal taxation. The bill would accelerate restoration of itemized deductions on state income taxes. Currently, state law allows a 50 percent deduction for medical expenses, mortgage interest, and property taxes in 2018. S Sub 2228 would raise the deduction to 75 percent in tax year 2018 and 100 percent in tax year 2020. The legislation also aims to bring more revenue into the state by taxing international income that is expected to flow back into the United States due to federal tax adjustment. An amendment was placed on the floor to grant a 50 percent state tax credit for donors to exhibit renovations at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. The bill will allow Kansans to keep the windfall money instead of the state government. It is estimated that the windfall could be around $137 million in the next fiscal year, $179 million in the subsequent fiscal year, and $187 million the following fiscal year. The bill passed the Senate 24-16.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS
House Bill 2470 would allow microbreweries within the state of Kansas to contract with other microbreweries for production and packaging of beer and hard cider. The bill amends law related to the sale of alcoholic candy and to the sale of domestic beer in refillable containers. HB 2470 allows licensed microbreweries in the state to produce beer containing up to 15 percent alcohol by weight. The bill also increases the length of time that certain businesses may serve alcohol to 6AM to 2AM.The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-10.
House Bill 2606 amends law related to testing for a class M (motorcycle) driver’s license, online driver’s license renewal, and the length of time a commercial driver’s license is valid. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 38-2.
House Bill 2597 would amend law regarding designation of an urban area. The bill amends law when a mayor is considered a member of a governing body. HB 2597 also deals with the compensation, supervision, personnel, and budgeting policies of election commissioners. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 29-10.
House Bill 2542 amends statutes for fees collected by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and performance-based budgeting requirements. HB 2542 also creates the Dyslexia Task Force that will conduct a study of issues and report to the Kansas Legislature by January 30, 2019. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.
House Bill 2583 would create the Noxious Weed Act and repeal current Noxious Weed law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 35-5.
House Bill 2476 would amend the section of the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) related to the unlawful use of names derived from public records. The bill would create an additional exception to the general prohibition in KORA against selling, giving, or receiving any list of names and addresses from public records for sales purposes. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 39-1.
Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for House Bill 2386 would amend law related to licensure, certification, or registration qualifications for employment at adult care homes, hospitals, and home health agencies. It would add all employees of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs Office to the definition of “safety sensitive positions” found in law. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2600 would amend the Nuclear Energy Development and Radiation Control Act, provide for the study and investigation of maternal deaths by the Secretary of Health and Environment, and create the Palliative Care and Quality of Life Interdisciplinary Advisory Council and the State Palliative Care Consumer and Professional Information and Education Program within the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 27-12.
House Bill 2482 would amend law related to contracts between the State and persons or companies who are actively engaged in a boycott of Israel. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 36-1.
Substitute House Bill 2556 would establish the State Interoperability Advisory Committee in statute. Currently, a State Interoperability Executive Committee exists by executive order. The committee would provide input to the Adjutant General’s Department (TAG) for the development and deployment of centralized interoperable communications planning and implementation capacity for Kansas. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 37-3.
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2701 would establish the Statewide Broadband Expansion Planning Task Force. The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 40-0.
Senate Substitute for House Bill 2028would establish the Kansas Telemedicine Act. The bill would also provide for coverage of speech-language pathologist and audiologist services via telehealth under the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) if such services would be covered under KMAP when delivered via in-person contact.The Conference Committee Report was adopted by a vote of 24-14.
CONCURS
Senate Bill 324amends the vehicle dealers and manufacturers licensing act. The Senate concurred on House amendments 37-0.
Senate Bill 410updates captive insurance statutes and provides for association and branch captive insurance companies and special purpose insurance companies. The Senate concurred on House amendments 39-0.
Senate Bill 394ensures transparency in state government contract decisions. The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.
Senate Bill 275relates to mid-term appointments of credit union council members. The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.
Senate Bill 263creates a program to research the use of industrial hemp. The Senate concurred on House amendments 40-0.
CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS
The Senate confirmed Dwight Keen to serve on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Keen is a co-owner of Keen Oil Co., a Winfield, Kan., oil and gas production company. He has served as Securities Commissioner of Kansas and board chair for the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in economics from Wichita State University and received a law degree from Kansas University. Keen was nominated last month by Governor Jeff Colyer and replaces Pat Apple on the three-person commission after Apple announced in December that he would not seek reappointment.
The Senate confirmed Keen on Saturday April 7th.
GOV. COLYER, COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCE COMMUNITIES TO BE DESIGNATED AS OPPORTUNITY ZONES – Senate District #36
Governor Jeff Colyer and officials from state government agencies have completed a review of Letters of Interest submitted from communities across the state to be considered for designation as Opportunity Zones. Opportunity Zones are a new economic development tool enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 designed to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities. Based upon the number of low-income communities identified by the Federal Census, the Governor may nominate up to 74 census tracts in Kansas for designation as Opportunity Zones.
In February, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced it would begin accepting Letters of Interest from communities to have their eligible low-income census tracts designated as Opportunity Zones. The communities with census tracts chosen to be included in Governor Colyer’s nominations for designation as Opportunity Zones include Belleville, Cloud County, Jewell County and Rooks County.
HARD FACTS FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Total tax receipts so far, this fiscal year total $4.8 billion, which is $673.61 million or 16.32 percent above last year at this time and $314.83 million above estimates for the year.
Income tax collections for the fiscal year are $603.95 million above last year and $325.73 million above current expectations.
March 2018 tax receipts came in $60.91 million over last March and $39.47 million above current expectations. Individual income tax collections in March were $77.88 million above last year. Sales tax receipts are up for the year by $38.36 million over last year.
Thank You for Engaging
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.org. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website or watch live at YouTube Streaming: https://bit.ly/2CZj9O0. The Senate will be in session each day at 10:00AM through the wrap-up session. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions. An email is the best at this point in the session.
Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612 [email protected]
785-296-7389
Today Sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 36. East southeast wind 9 to 13 mph.
Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 7 to 14 mph.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41. Windy, with a south wind 17 to 25 mph becoming northwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 65. Very windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 31 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. Breezy.
ThursdaySunny, with a high near 65.
Thursday NightA 30 percent chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.
ELLSWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Under a new Kansas Department of Transportation program, “Lost to DUI” memorial signs will be placed along state and federal highways for victims of drunken driving accidents.
The first memorial sign was recently unveiled by parents of 20-year-old Kylie Jobe and 22-year-old Kyle Thornburg, who were killed in a 2011 accident.
Barby Jobe said her daughter and Thornburg were on their way back from a skiing trip when they were struck by an impaired driver who also was killed in the crash.
“You can’t say enough about not drinking and driving,” Barby said. “The message never changes, but the opportunity to tell that message any time you can is really important.”
Former Republican Rep. Mark Hutton sponsored the Kyle Thornburg and Kylie Jobe Believe Act in 2016, which authorized the DUI memorial signage program. He said the legislation aimed to humanize the problem with drunk driving.
“We wanted people to see those signs,” Hutton said.
Hutton said the signs represent the human cost of drunken driving.
The memorial signs with finger print designs will be placed near the victims’ crash site and include the names and ages of people who were killed. Barby Jobe said the fingerprint design represents a person’s individuality.
“Every victim is a unique person that is lost,” Barby Jobe said. “It kind of also represents the life cycle — the circle, the spiral reminds you of that, too.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — R. Lee Ermey, a former Marine who made a career in Hollywood playing hard-nosed military men like Gunnery Sgt. Hartman in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket,” has died.
R. Lee Ermey-photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Ermey’s longtime manager Bill Rogin says he died Sunday morning from pneumonia-related complications. He was 74.
The Kanas native was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his memorable performance in “Full Metal Jacket,” in which he immortalized lines such as: “What is your major malfunction?”
His co-stars Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio tweeted their condolences Sunday evening.
“#SemperFidelis Always faithful. Always loyal. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light,” Modine wrote, quoting the Dylan Thomas poem. “RIP amigo. PVT. Joker.”
Vincent D’Onofrio added: “Ermey was the real deal. The knowledge of him passing brings back wonderful memories of our time together.”
Born Ronald Lee Ermey in 1944, Ermey served 11 years in the Marine Corps and spent 14 months in Vietnam and then in Okinawa, Japan, where he became staff sergeant. His first film credit was as a helicopter pilot in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” which was quickly followed by a part in “The Boys in Company C” as a drill instructor.
He raked in more than 60 credits in film and television across his long career in the industry, often playing authority figures in everything from “Se7en” to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” remake.
The part he would become most well-known for, in “Full Metal Jacket,” wasn’t even originally his. Ermey had been brought on as a technical consultant for the 1987 film, but he had his eyes on the role of the brutal gunnery sergeant and filmed his own audition tape of him yelling out insults while tennis balls flew at him. An impressed Kubrick gave him the role.
Kubrick told Rolling Stone that 50 percent of Ermey’s dialogue in the film was his own.
“In the course of hiring the marine recruits, we interviewed hundreds of guys. We lined them all up and did an improvisation of the first meeting with the drill instructor. They didn’t know what he was going to say, and we could see how they reacted. Lee came up with, I don’t know, 150 pages of insults,” Kubrick said.
According to Kubrick, Ermey also had a terrible car accident one night in the middle of production and was out for four and half months with broken ribs.
Ermey would also go on to voice the little green army man Sarge in the “Toy Story” films. He also played track and field coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman in “Prefontaine,” General Kramer in “Toy Soldiers” and Mayor Tilman in “Mississippi Burning.”
Ermey also hosted the History Channel series “Mail Call” and “Lock N’ Load with R. Lee Ermey” and was a board member for the National Rifle Association, as well as a spokesman for Glock.
“He will be greatly missed by all of us,” Rogin said. “It is a terrible loss that nobody was prepared for.”
Rogin says that while his characters were often hard and principled, the real Ermey was a family man and a kind and gentle soul who supported the men and women who serve.
Chester C. Frankenfeld Jr., 83, passed away April 12, 2018 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg, Kansas. He was born in Kirk, Colorado to Chester Charles Frankenfeld and Dovie May (Spurling) Frankenfeld on July 10, 1934. He grew up in Stratton, Colorado along many of his cousins.
