Frank was born in Williston, North Dakota, the sixth of eleven children, to Lydia and Walter Lukenbill on January 22, 1919. Frank is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Leona Mary; his 5 children, Gregg (Sally), Lynne (Jim), Renee, Gaye (Randy), and Terese; 8 grandchildren, Jake, Molly, Ben, Frankie, JJ, Brian, Tommy, Mariah; 7 great-grandchildren Kylie, Brooke, Madilyn, Briana, Kaitlyn, Kyle, and Joshlin; and 3 sisters Bessie, Dolly and Micky. Because of the effects of ''The Great Depression'' and ''The Dust Bowl'', (drought and locust infestations in the Midwest) in 1940 Frank, 20, drove his mother, grandfather and 4 sisters to California to live. In 1941 Frank and brothers Berk and Bill built their first home for the family in Sacramento. In 1942 Frank enlisted in the army and served in the South Pacific for 2 years during WWII. Frank was honorably discharged in 1944 and immediately went to work building homes for contractor Byron Phelps and developer H.S. Mc Duffee in the East Sacramento area for the next several years. The Lukenbill Brothers construction company was formed in 1954. Together with Berk and Bill Lukenbill, Frank built hundreds of homes and apartment units in and around the Sacramento area over the next 20 years. 1954 was also the year Frank's 1st and only son, Gregg was born. The following 6 years brought the arrival of Lynne, Renee, Gaye and Terese. In 1974 Berk retired, and Gregg acquired his interest which established Lukenbill Construction with Frank. Two years later in 1976, Lukenbill Enterprises, the commercial real estate development company was formed by the father and son partnership. Lukenbill Enterprises made a name for itself in both the tilt up construction industry and commercial real estate development. After several successful years in business Frank joined in Gregg's efforts to bring professional sports to Sacramento. That would become a turning point in Sacramento history as it eventually led to the arrival of the NBA franchise, Sacramento Kings, in 1985 and the construction of two privately financed Arco Arenas within 3 years. In 1986 Frank and his business Associates commenced construction on the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Sacramento which opened in 1988. Frank was the recipient of numerous awards for his many wide ranging contributions to the community. He will be remembered as a loving man who was kind to all, generous beyond measure, with a deep humility. Not only was Frank an extraordinary father to his own children, but a surrogate father to many. Frank's personal, family, business and community values have positively impacted Sacramento. Frank was preceded in death by his father, Walter, mother, Lydia; brothers, John, Berk, Bill and Bud, sisters, Belle, Mary and Lily. A church service will be held Thursday January 11, 2007, 10:00am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by interment at the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. A rosary will be held Wednesday 7:00pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church 39the & J Sacramento, CA. Visitation will be held Monday/Tuesday 12:00-7:00pm and Wednesday 12:00-5:00pm at the Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home. Arrangements are by the Lodi Funeral Home, Lodi, California In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church, or the charity of your choice, in honor of Frank.

Published in The Sacramento Bee(CA) - Tuesday, January 9, 2007