Frank Parker obit

Big Frank Obituary

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Billy Frank Parker

Big Frank Parker, an icon for Broken Bow Lake, Broken Bow and Hochatown communities alike, passed from this life on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Plano, Texas at the age of 85. Graveside funeral services are scheduled at 2:00 pm, Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery pavilion in Hugo, Oklahoma. Jim Staggs will be officiating.

Billy Frank Parker was born October 16, 1939, in Broken Bow, OK, the son of G.F. “Sonny” Parker and Margaret (Skelton) Parker. He was raised in Broken Bow, graduating from Broken Bow High School in 1957. He attended OSU from 1957-1962 with his final year as a red shirt. Big Frank, as he was fondly known, was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1962. He played in the World Championship Game in 1964, when the Browns beat the Colts 27-0. It was the next year when the NFL game was merged and renamed The Super Bowl. Big Frank played for the Browns from 1962-1967, Steelers in 1968, and NY Giants in 1969, retiring after 8 years in the NFL.

After retiring from the NFL, he came back to Broken Bow and bought 40 acres @ $200 per acre, in Hochatown, and built Big Franks Sports Center, Convenience Store & Gas Station. This was the first business in Hochatown. Frank sold the store and acres in 1990 when he became ill with Leukemia. After recovering from the illness, he started pipeline inspecting for Roger Moore. Everyone remembers Roger as he was the rodeo clown that had the Buckin Ford act.

Frank married Carla Gibson on December 26, 1998, and the two moved to Bangor, Maine where he continued pipeline inspections. The couple returned to Hochatown the following year and built a small café called The Patio, which Carla ran for several years, and which was later remodeled as a rental cabin (Cool Breeze). Frank was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, and recently was attending the Ft. Towson Church of Christ with Carla. Frank continued with the pipeline inspections until he retired in 2017. The following year, he and Carla sold the cabin and built in the Moyer Addition area where they live and enjoy the retired life, quiet neighborhood with wonderful neighbors.

Frank enjoyed fishing and playing golf on a regular basis. Since he knew every crook and turn of Broken Bow Lake, he supplied friends and the whole neighborhood with fresh crappies during the season.

Frank is survived by his wife Carla Parker of the home, one stepson, Cortni Gibson of Broken Bow, OK, two grandsons, Colby Gibson of Broken Bow and Caleb Gibson of Ft. Worth, TX, one sister, Carole Sheffield of Ft. Worth, Texas, three Nephews, Ed Sheffield and wife Michelle of Dallas, TX, John Sheffield and wife Susan of Ft Worth, TX, Zack Parker of Ft Smith, AR, two brother-in- laws, Monty Graves of Hugo, OK, John Graves of OKC, OK, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Robert Parker.

Parker was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (79th overall) of the 1961 NFL draft and by the New York Titans in the 29th round (229th overall) of the 1962 American Football League draft. He played eight seasons for the NFL's Cleveland Browns (1962–1967), Pittsburgh Steelers (1968), and New York Giants (1969).