FRANCIS (FRANK) XAVIER MEDINA, SR.

Francis (Frank) Xavier Medina Sr., 89, of Kansas City, MO, folded his wings on January 14, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30am Monday, January 20, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 E. 75th St., Kansas City, MO. Burial to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Raytown, MO. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00pm Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Church with Rosary starting at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, Heartland Chapter. On May 24, 1924, Frank was born to Honorato and Herlinda Medina of Galveston, TX. He was the youngest of five children and thus earned the nickname ‘Babe’. Frank was a graduate of Kirwin High School, Galveston, TX, and a graduate of St. Edwards University, Austin, TX. WWII temporarily interrupted Frank’s college career, calling him to active duty for his country. He eventually earned the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 15th AAF, 304th Wing, 459th Bomb Group, 756th Bomb Squadron stationed in Cerignola, Italy. He was assigned the duties of armament and tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber. While returning from his eighteenth bombing mission, his plane was shot down over Northern Italy. He evaded the enemy from August 1944 to April 1945 with the help of two families in the Italian Resistance. His book, ‘Ciao, Francesco,’ chronicles his war experiences. Back at home, Frank’s work brought him to Kansas City where he met his future bride, Jacqueline (Jackie) Bartlett, at the Redemptorist Social Club. They were married on April 21, 1956 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. Frank worked at various jobs as an industrial engineer including Ford Motor Co., Westinghouse, The Vendo Co., Whiteaker Cable Corp., and the Kansas City/St. Joseph Catholic Diocese. He loved being with his family and friends and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is preceded into heaven by his parents, his brothers Honorato Medina, Jr. and Alfonso Medina, his sister Ana Maria Luna, Jackie his wife of 55 years, his youngest son Christopher Charles, and his grandson Austin Tyler Medina. Frank is survived by one sister Josephine Medina of Dallas, TX, and 7 children: Kimberly Bigg and her husband Mike of Belton, MO, Karen Slagle and her husband Raymond of Forestdale, MA, Frank Medina, Jr. and his wife Teresa of Kansas City, MO, Theresa Straws and her husband Dwayne of Raytown, MO, Stephen Medina of Wichita, KS, Mary Pat Denton of Carmichael, CA, and Johnnie Medina and his wife Debra of Parker, CO, and 20 grandchildren: Onnie, Tanner, Kimberlee, Christopher, Lorissa, Lauren, Michael, Madeline, Angela, Joseph, Alisha, Brianna, Anthony, Kalli, Wyatt, Chance, Casey, Mikayla, Jordan, and Alexa. We’ll miss you, Poppo. Arrangements: DW Newcomer’s Sons Noland Road Chapel 816-252-8900. D.W.