L. Kent Friskup

L. Kent Friskup was born on November 27, 1940, in New Ulm, Minnesota, and departed this life on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, at his home in Meeker, Oklahoma, at the age of 71. Kent, the son of Lloyd Raymond Clifford and Ina Louise (Favinger) Friskup, was a long-time resident of Meeker. He graduated from Winthrop, MN High School in 1958. He married Judith Ann Malm on October 10, 1959 in Winthrop, MN. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Division. He frequently joked that 'all of my parachute jumps were night jumps as I never opened my eyes.' He was the previous owner-operator of the Meeker Livestock Auction; previous owner-editor of the Meeker News; served as state representative for District 32 in the Oklahoma State Legislature; was the town administrator for the Town of Meeker; and at the time of his death was a self-employed grant consultant, auctioneer, and in real estate sales. A few of Kent's contributions to the City of Meeker include charter member and 3-time past president of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce; member and vice-chair of Gordon Cooper Career Technology Board; member of Project HEART Board; member of Meeker Senior Housing Board; vice-chair of the Lincoln county Industrial Authority; honorary member of Meeker FFA, Wellston FFA, and Lincoln County 4-H; administrative chair and lay speaker for the Meeker United Methodist Church; chairman of Lincoln County Sales Tax Committee; president and member of the Meeker Roundup Club; chairman of Lincoln County Republicans several times; and recipient of the Meeker Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. His parents and son-in-law, Mike Grissom, preceded Kent in death. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Judy Friskup of the home; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Robin Friskup of Muleshoe, TX; daughter, Debbie Grissom of Prague; sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Arden DeBoer of Lafayette, MN; brother-in-law, Doug Malm and his wife Karen of LeSeuer, MN; grandchildren; Brandon and Beki Grissom of Elgin, IL, Tyler and Julie Grissom of Arlington Heights, IL, Kami Grissom and friend Terry Don Peltier of Prague, Kaci and Justin Morris of Muleshoe, TX, Kelsy and Jake Ratliff of Lawton, OK; great-grandchildren, Stella and Ezra Kent Grissom, Rider and Ransom Morris, and soon to be born, little Lucy Grissom. Viewing and visitation will be at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Meeker beginning Thursday at 9:00 AM until noon on Friday. The Friskup family will receive friends on Thursday evening, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Meeker Chapel. A celebration of Kent's life will be held on Friday, September 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM, at the Assembly of God Church in Meeker with Rev. Cal Brannon and Rev. Mike Melton officiating. Burial will be private.