Frank Gordon Locklar

Frank G. Locklar was born at home in an oilfield camp housing north of Midland, Texas, on March 13, 1938, to W.N. and Bertha Locklar, pioneers of the Midland. On June 26, 2026, at the age of 88, Frank was called home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was welcomed into Heaven by his Lord and Savior, reunited with family, friends, and all who had gone before him—free from pain and the burdens of this world.

Frank was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, bonus dad and great-grandparent, great great grandparent, and a loyal friend and neighbor. His life was rooted in faith, family, and hard work.

Frank grew up on the family farm south of Midland, where he developed the character and values that guided him throughout his life. On April 3, 1959, he married Diane, and together they began their life in a small home on the farm. As a young man, Frank helped with farm responsibilities while seeking work during a challenging time. He later joined the United States Air Force, where his service took the family to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and eventually back home to Texas.

Over the years, Frank worked for several companies, including Bell Helicopter, in the trucking industry, Affiliated Foods, and Texas Oklahoma Freight Line. Along the way, Frank and Diane raised four children—Scott, Tami, Kevin, and Pamela—and eventually returned to Midland to finish raising their family on the farm that had shaped his life.

The farm remained central to who Frank was. It was there that he instilled in his children and all who knew him the values of determination, resilience, strength, ingenuity, compassion, and integrity—qualities affectionately known within the family as “Locklar engineering.” Frank had a natural gift for fixing and improving anything, using creativity and skill to make things better.

Frank loved the land deeply. He spent countless hours farming, tending crops and animals, working tractors, and caring for the soil. He also cherished time with family and friends, sharing stories of “old Midland”—from its early days with just a couple of streets and four schools to the thriving city it is today. His stories reflected a lifetime of witnessing growth, change, and progress.

He was known for his humor, his playful spirit, and his love for making others smile—often posing with silly faces for pictures. He loved drawing landscapes and helping wherever he was needed. Above all, Frank cherished every generation of his family, honoring the roots, celebrating the multiple family branches, cherishing each generation that keeps his legacy alive.

Frank shared fifty-eight wonderful years of marriage with his beloved first wife, Diane. After her passing, he reconnected with longtime friend Joyce Lucas, and they were married on March 14, 2020. Together, they blended their families, expanding from four children each to a family of eight, along with their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They shared six meaningful years filled with love, memories, and time with family.

Lovingly known as the “Emoji King,” Frank brought joy even in simple moments, often responding to messages with a flood of cheerful emojis.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, W.N. and Bertha Locklar; his wife, Diane; his sons, Scott and Kevin Locklar; and his brother, Charles Locklar.

He is survived by his wife Joyce and daughters, Tami Finley and Husband Kenneth, Pamela Locklar and boyfriend Alan, Brother-in-law Scott Roe, Grand Children Aaron Finley and Wife Erin, Shawn Finley and Wife Natalie, Glenn Finley and girlfriend Shelby, Cody Locklar and wife Aericka and Brandon Richardson and Wife Logan, And Great Grandchildren, Lola, Freya, Riajin, and Saffron. Bonus children David Lucas and Wife Tammy, Elaine Golden and Husband Marty, Stephanie Stovall and Bobby, Darrell Lucas and Wife Nisa, and 11 Bonus grandchildren and 16 Bonus Great-grandchildren 3 bonus Great-great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by extended family members, including his sister-in-law and her family, his brother-in-law, and his and his family.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the many prayer warriors, relatives, and friends, as well as the staff of Inhabit Home Health, doctors, nurses, medical teams, and the pharmacists at Dr.’s Pharmacy for their compassionate care and support throughout Frank’s illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnels for Towers, the American Cancer Society, or a local Community Health Program. Midland Memorial Hospital

And as we remember Frank, we find him still present—in the steady hum of a tractor in the distance, the rows of freshly turned soil, the shade of a cottonwood tree, and the quiet breeze across an open field. His legacy is planted deep, and like a well-tended crop, it will continue to grow through every generation he so dearly loved.

MAYOR FRANK,  TILLING HEAVENS FIELDS

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