GUNTHER JOSE FRANK
Gunther Jose Frank, age 35, of Bellingham, died in a boating accident in Bellingham Bay on Friday, June 5, 2009. Although he was lost at sea, he was found in his Lord Jesus Christ.
Gunther Jose was born in Oak Harbor on May 12, 1974, to Herman and Rosa Maria (Ochoa) Frank. He was raised in Oak Harbor, where he attended Crescent Harbor Elementary School and North Whidbey Middle School, before graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1992. He graduated from Skagit Valley College and attended Western Washington University, where he graduated with a BA Degree.
Gunther Jose was a successful world-class photographer, with his works appearing in the Stranger, Seattle Weekly, Spin.com, Sound on the Sound and Seattle Sound. His subjects were many and varied, including live band photography and weddings. Some of the many local bands he shot included the Trucks, Federation X, and a Gun That Shoots Knives. The Smith and Vallee Gallery in Bow-Edison recently hosted a successful showing of some of his works.
In addition to being a skilled photographer, Gunther Jose excelled in outdoor sports, including free-style bicycling, sports fishing and snow-boarding. He was the recipient of five freestyle trophies, and placed first in several BMX competitions. He was bilingual, and spoke excellent Spanish. He enjoyed working on his 1974 Charlie Brown VW van, and collected a variety of eclectic objects for his photos. He loved sailing on Scum-Dinger, which he was on board on June 5, when a rogue wind came up suddenly and capsized the vessel. Gunther Jose attempted to swim to shore, but was unable to make it in the frigid waters, and was lost, along with his close friend, Sean “Donnkie” Mansfield.
During his years in Oak Harbor, he was baptized at and attended St. Joseph of Cupertino Catholic Church. He leaves his parents, Herman and Rosa Frank of Oak Harbor; one brother, Wolfgang Frank (Jessica) of Marysville; one sister, Marisa Henley (Floyd) of Vancouver, WA; three nieces, Jade Marie and Alea Rose Henley and Georgia Kate Frank; also numerous other relatives and friends.
Two separate Memorial Masses will be held. The first will be Friday, July 24, at 12:00 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1110 �" 14th St., Bellingham, Rev. Qui-Thac Nguwen Celebrant. The second will take place Saturday, July 25, 2009, 10:30 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Rev. David Young, Celebrant. Memorial donations may be made to the Gunther Jose Frank Memorial Fund at any Bank of America branch. Family and friends are encouraged to leave their condolences at the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com. Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.

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